Breaking News: British Royal Navy Makes First At Sea Resupply Between Warships Using T150 Drone.

According to information published by the British Royal Navy on September 1, 2025, the British Royal Navy has successfully completed its first ship-to-ship drone resupply at sea, a milestone that signals the operational integration of autonomous systems into frontline naval logistics. During a critical phase of Operation Highmast, a Malloy T-150 quadcopter delivered vital spare parts and repair equipment from HMS Prince of Wales to the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless, showcasing a new era in unmanned support for complex naval operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
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A Malloy T150 drone launches from HMS Prince of Wales carrying vital equipment to HMS Dauntless during the British Royal Navy's UK Carrier Strike Group deployment in the Indo-Pacific, marking the first-ever autonomous resupply between warships at sea. (Picture source: British Royal Navy)

The Malloy T-150 drone, a British-designed heavy-lift quadcopter developed by Malloy Aeronautics and now produced under BAE Systems, was chosen for its unique ability to carry substantial payloads in maritime conditions. With an eight-rotor configuration, the T-150 is capable of lifting up to 68 kilograms and flying at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. It is designed to operate in GPS-denied environments and can be launched autonomously from a moving vessel. The system is compact enough to be stowed on deck and deployed without specialized infrastructure, making it ideal for naval use. The T-150 is electrically powered, operates with low acoustic and thermal signatures, and can complete medium-range missions under human supervision or in autonomous mode. During this trial, the drone flew over a nautical mile before being manually guided to a safe landing on HMS Dauntless’ flight deck.

This first-of-its-kind operation illustrates how the British Royal Navy is embracing uncrewed technologies to redefine traditional maritime logistics. Historically, helicopters or small boats have performed resupply missions between ships at sea, often requiring significant time, coordination, and exposure to environmental risks. The drone trial opens a path to streamlining these operations, allowing expensive and crew-intensive platforms like the Merlin or Wildcat helicopters to focus solely on critical combat or surveillance roles. With uncrewed systems absorbing routine logistical tasks, the British Royal Navy gains more operational flexibility and enhances its tempo during sustained deployments.

The development of drone use in the British Royal Navy has evolved rapidly over the past five years, moving from basic experimentation to structured operational trials. The establishment of 700X Naval Air Squadron as a dedicated drone flight unit reflects the growing importance of autonomous systems across air, surface, and sub-surface domains. The squadron has taken the lead in testing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drones like the T-150, as well as fixed-wing and rotary systems designed for intelligence gathering, communications relay, and now logistics. The increasing pace of these trials aligns with the broader vision of the British Royal Navy’s Future Maritime Aviation Force, which aims to deploy hybrid air wings combining manned and unmanned capabilities across the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.

Captain Colin McGannity, Commander Air Group for the Carrier Strike Group, emphasized that the Malloy T-150’s introduction is a major step toward achieving a fully hybrid air wing, reducing the logistical burden on manned aviation assets while also preparing for the eventual use of uncrewed platforms in contested operational roles. Lieutenant Matt Parfitt of 700X Squadron, who oversaw the resupply trial, confirmed that the successful outcome validates the British Royal Navy’s investment in integrating autonomous platforms into routine maritime operations.

The current deployment under Operation Highmast has already seen the Malloy drones complete over 20 flight hours and perform nearly 150 deck landings across multiple warships. These figures underscore the system’s growing reliability and the crew’s ability to adapt to drone-based logistics. The British Royal Navy is expected to build on these results by expanding trials to include longer-range flights, heavier payloads, and integration with autonomous surface and subsurface vessels.

Strategically, the use of drones like the T-150 strengthens the British Royal Navy’s ability to operate in dispersed and contested maritime environments, where traditional resupply lines may be vulnerable to disruption. In an Indo-Pacific theater marked by increasing great-power competition, the agility and resilience offered by unmanned logistics systems provide a critical operational edge. Furthermore, the collaboration between the British Royal Navy and BAE Systems highlights the role of British industry in supporting sovereign defense capabilities and aligns with the government’s Plan for Change, which positions defense innovation as a driver of national security and economic strength.

Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard praised the operation as a powerful symbol of progress, stating that autonomous systems like the T-150 are pivotal to the future of the British Royal Navy’s maritime operations. With further experimentation planned across strike, logistics, and ISR roles, the British Royal Navy is positioning itself as a leader in the deployment of uncrewed systems in naval warfare, setting a benchmark for allied fleets around the world.