The United Kingdom’s Royal Navy has declared the Malloy T-150 logistics drone ready for frontline operations after two years of testing in various conditions, ranging from the Arctic to the Indian Ocean.
The equipment was approved after participating in exercises with the Royal Marines, Naval Air Squadron 700X, and the Logistic Command Regiment, receiving official clearance for operational use.
The T-150 is an electric vertical takeoff and landing drone with eight rotors, capable of carrying loads up to 68 kilograms, reaching speeds of around 96 km/h, and flying for up to 40 minutes. Operated by two people, it can be manually controlled or follow pre-programmed autonomous routes. While it does not replace helicopters like the Merlin or Wildcat in large-scale missions, it covers most routine logistics demands, as about 95% of supplies transferred in carrier groups weigh less than 50 kilograms.
During the deployment of the 2025 Carrier Strike Group, the T-150 made its first historic ship-to-ship delivery, transporting parts from the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales to the destroyer HMS Dauntless. The test demonstrated its potential to free manned helicopters from logistical tasks so they can focus on operational missions, supporting the vision of a hybrid air wing combining manned aircraft and drones.
In addition to reducing risks for personnel during tactical resupplies and offering lower costs per mission, the T-150 has also shown the ability to reach areas where traditional supply lines are not feasible. Nevertheless, limitations such as restricted autonomy, sea conditions, and deck logistics still pose challenges.
The future of the system may include combat-adapted versions, such as the TRV-150 variant, already tested in the U.S. with guided rockets. The Navy sees the drone’s adoption as a strategic step to modernize naval operations and gradually integrate unmanned systems on a large scale.
Source: UK Defence Journal / The Aviationist | Photo: X @RoyalNavy | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
