Royal Navy declares T-150 ready for front-line ops

Image courtesy BAE Systems

Following two years of trials and development completed in close collaboration with the Royal Navy, a fleet of T-150s will be deployed to carry ammunition, weaponry, food, personal and medical supplies to Royal Marines Commandos operating in all manner of extreme environments.

Royal Marines and the Royal Navy’s drone operators from 700X Naval Air Squadron and Commando Logistic Regiment have put the Malloy T-150s through a demanding set of tests and exercises from the freezing Arctic to the Indian Ocean over recent months. This work has resulted in the system being declared ready to Release to Service, which means they are ready to be used during operations.

The Malloy UAS has proved immensely valuable in rapidly bringing supplies over complex terrain, reaching places where traditional supply lines are simply unviable.

With eight rotor blades – each around two feet in length – an endurance of up to 40 minutes, top speed of 60mph, and the ability to lift up to 68kg, the Malloy T-150 is a proven, capable and versatile platform. It needs a team of two, one remote pilot and a second to monitor the aircraft’s command unit, and can be flown manually or autonomously to designated waypoints with an underslung cargo.

Neil Appleton, CEO Malloy Aeronautics, said: “The UK Release to Service of our T-150 platform is a milestone we’re incredibly proud to be a part of.  As a multi-role UAS, the T-150 can be used for Replenishment at Sea one day and resupplying deployed Royal Marines Commandos the next.

“It’s a game-changer for the modern battlefield and we are proud to deliver this capability to those who need it most. We’ve partnered with the UK Armed Forces throughout this programme, from the Royal Marines Commando Force to wider Ministry of Defence organisations to deliver this capability at pace, including training and in service support.  We welcome this further strengthening of our partnership with the UK armed forces and remain committed to expanding the capability of our multi-role solutions for the UK.”

The Malloy T-150 is also undergoing operational evaluation with the UK Carrier Strike Group in the Indo-Pacific, recently delivering supplies from aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to destroyer HMS Dauntless in an historic first.

Brigadier Chris Haw, Head of the Commando Forces Programme said: "The UK Commando Force continues to be at the vanguard of operational change in embedding digital and autonomous systems into the way we fight. The introduction of logistic drones represents a significant expansion in the Commando Force’s use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems, beyond those already in-service for surveillance/reconnaissance, and importantly reduces the risk to personnel during tactical re-supply.

"Tested in operationally representative conditions, and developed in close collaboration with Malloy, the equipment and operators have made considerable progress. The T-150 has great potential for broader use-cases as we have recently seen in operational theatres and on the Carrier Strike deployment."