72,000-ton British aircraft carrier launches attack drones in historic naval first

What happened

The Royal Navy has tested a new ship-launched strike drone aboard its largest aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth. The Nyan One-Way Effector (OWE) completed four launches in the North Atlantic, hitting its designated targets in every attempt.

HMS Queen Elizabeth displaces approximately 71,650 tons, making it the largest warship ever built for the Royal Navy. Operating Nyan from a carrier of this scale gives the service valuable insight into integrating uncrewed strike aircraft into major maritime operations.

Developed by Callen-Lenz, a BAE Systems subsidiary, Nyan is designed to deliver precision strikes using an uncrewed aircraft. Its successful carrier trials mark another step toward operating expendable strike drones alongside crewed aircraft and other naval platforms.