British Navy Aims to Extend Carrier Reach with Long Range Missiles and AI Powered Drones.

As outlined in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review published by the UK Ministry of Defence, the Royal Navy’s two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers are preparing for a major transformation in their offensive capabilities. The United Kingdom plans to arm the carriers with long-range precision missiles launched directly from their flight decks, alongside the integration of next-generation autonomous drones. This marks a pivotal shift toward a hybrid carrier air group concept that blends manned and unmanned platforms to increase operational flexibility and reduce long-term costs.
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Key to this transformation is the ambition to enable Queen Elizabeth-class carriers to serve as multi-domain platforms capable of long-range strikes, air interdiction, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering (Picture source: British MoD)

Historically, these carriers were designed around the F-35B, a short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft well-suited to flight decks without catapults or arrestor gear. However, the platform's limitations, particularly its inability to host fixed-wing airborne early warning aircraft or onboard refueling tankers, have prompted a strategic reassessment. In 2023, HMS Prince of Wales successfully tested the takeoff and recovery of a Mojave MALE drone, showcasing the feasibility of drone operations from current flight deck configurations. These tests laid the groundwork for the Vixen and Ark Royal programs, respectively focusing on drone combat integration and evolving launch and recovery systems toward STOBAR and possibly CATOBAR standards.

The SDR outlines a vision for a "hybrid air wing" combining F-35Bs, autonomous collaborative drones, and expendable loitering munitions. This concept draws inspiration from the US Navy’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program and envisions air wings increasingly dominated by unmanned assets. Recent industrial renderings even depict the operation of platforms such as the Gambit or MQ-28 Ghost Bat from British carriers, signaling a dramatic evolution in UK naval aviation.

Key to this transformation is the ambition to enable Queen Elizabeth-class carriers to serve as multi-domain platforms capable of long-range strikes, air interdiction, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering. Introducing cruise or even hypersonic missiles, potentially containerized or launched via deck-mounted modules, would be a doctrinal milestone. Candidates for these weapons include navalized variants of the Tomahawk, missiles under development within the FMAN/FMC joint program with France, or a future deep-strike system possibly co-developed with Germany.

Rather than overhauling the ship structure to install vertical launch systems, the approach focuses on modular adaptability, enhancing strike autonomy without disrupting the existing configuration. In parallel, the use of expendable drones such as the Banshee Jet 80+, previously trialed from HMS Prince of Wales, offers near-term potential for reconnaissance, decoy, and short-range strike roles.

This evolution aligns with a broader "high-low mix" strategy balancing cutting-edge systems with simpler, cost-effective, and interconnected technologies. The goal is to maximize resilience and responsiveness while managing financial constraints. Nonetheless, technical hurdles remain significant, including the safe integration of drones into carrier operations, deck flow management, and ensuring interoperability with existing manned assets. Personnel and infrastructure adaptations will also be required.

A critical concern remains the number of F-35Bs available. Although the UK originally committed to acquiring 138 aircraft, only 48 have been ordered so far, with 27 more expected by 2033. This total falls short of maintaining the 24-aircraft air wing needed for both carriers. For now, the UK supplements its air group with US Marine Corps aircraft, and discussions are ongoing about whether to procure a mix of F-35B and F-35A variants, though the latter cannot operate from carriers.

Additionally, the upcoming retirement of Merlin Crowsnest helicopters by 2029 intensifies the need for a new fixed-wing airborne early warning platform. A CATOBAR conversion would allow for heavier drones and aircraft with extended surveillance or refueling capabilities, significantly enhancing the offensive posture of the fleet.

The 2025 Highmast operation, conducted in the Pacific with multinational forces, exemplifies the UK’s commitment to reinforcing NATO and Indo-Pacific security. Transforming the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers into multi-domain action hubs armed with advanced drones and long-range missiles mirrors the global trend toward distributed, autonomous, and multi-functional naval warfare.

The Strategic Defence Review charts an ambitious path for the Royal Navy’s future carrier force. By combining precision long-range strike capability with rapid drone integration, the UK aims to find a more agile, lethal, and resilient naval strike group ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow’s conflicts. The success of this vision, however, will depend on timely industrial execution and sustained financial investment.