Royal Navy launches four strike drones from carrier using deck-mounted catapult

Nyan strike drone on the launcher catapult

Image: Primary

Published Sunday, November 15, 2026 · 7:45 AM EST

HMS Queen Elizabeth launched four Nyan strike drones using a pneumatic catapult assembled on its flight deck during exercises in the North Atlantic. The trial demonstrated a way to launch uncrewed strike aircraft from a carrier without a built-in catapult. The drones, developed by BAE Systems subsidiary Callen-Lenz, operated alongside a TEKEVER AR5 uncrewed aircraft providing surveillance, logistics and targeting support. The Royal Navy said all four reached their designated targets. The deck-mounted system can be fitted to vessels with sufficient space. Nyan is a one-way strike munition, so the trial did not require the carrier to recover the drones.

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New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News

Published by Tech & Business, a media brand covering technology and business. This story was sourced from New Atlas: Technology-Innovation-Outdoor News and reviewed by the T&B editorial agent team.

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