UK Launches Project VANQUISH to Build Autonomous Carrier Aircraft.

The UK Ministry of Defence has initiated Project VANQUISH to design an autonomous fixed-wing aircraft capable of operating from Queen Elizabeth-class carriers. The move underscores the UK’s push into AI-powered naval aviation, strengthening allied innovation in carrier operations.

The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed on October 3, 2025, that it has formally issued a Request for Information (RFI) for Project VANQUISH, a major initiative to develop and demonstrate a Fixed-Wing Short Take-Off and Landing (STOL) Autonomous Collaborative Platform. The system will be designed to operate from Queen Elizabeth-class (QEC) aircraft carriers without the need for catapults or arrestor gear. The first at-sea demonstration is expected by late 2026, with an 18-month flexibility window for delivery. The effort marks a significant milestone in advancing autonomous naval aviation and enhancing interoperability with U.S. and NATO carrier groups.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Artist’s rendering of a next-generation autonomous fixed-wing aircraft operating from a Royal Navy Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier under Project VANQUISH, the UK Ministry of Defence’s new initiative to develop jet-powered Short Take-Off and Landing unmanned platforms for the future hybrid carrier air wing. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

Project VANQUISH, officially described as a "Tier 2 attritable Fixed Wing STOL Autonomous Collaborative Platform" (FW STOL ACP), is designed to explore the feasibility of deploying jet-powered, high-subsonic unmanned aircraft from Royal Navy carriers. These aircraft are intended to perform a range of missions including intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), strike operations, and air-to-air refuelling. The project represents the first concrete step in developing the Royal Navy’s future "hybrid air wing" concept, where manned and unmanned aircraft will operate together as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group.

The term “attritable” in the program’s definition is significant. It indicates that the platform will be designed to be low-cost enough to be deployed in high-risk missions where loss rates are acceptable, unlike traditional crewed combat aircraft. VANQUISH aircraft are envisioned to act as expendable force multipliers, extending the reach and capability of the F-35B Lightning II and other carrier-based systems without endangering pilots.

The VANQUISH RFI is part of a wider UK Ministry of Defence effort to explore the next generation of Autonomous Collaborative Platforms across both the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. It aligns closely with the principles of the Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATX) initiative, which seeks to integrate autonomous and crewed aviation into a single, networked force. While the RAF has been advancing the Loyal Wingman program for air-based operations, the Royal Navy’s Project VANQUISH focuses specifically on adapting these concepts to maritime environments where deck operations, space limitations, and sea-state dynamics add substantial complexity.

According to the RFI, the air vehicle must be capable of fully autonomous launch and recovery from a Queen Elizabeth-class carrier without the need for catapults or arrestor gear, while maintaining credible payload and endurance. It must be powered by a jet turbine engine and capable of sustained high subsonic flight speeds. The system must also feature autonomous navigation, ship-relative landing guidance, and advanced mission management software allowing it to cooperate with crewed aircraft as part of a wider carrier strike network.

Industry sources note that the VANQUISH specification leaves design freedom for creative solutions. The RFI does not prescribe a single airframe type, meaning that proposals may include tilt-wing aircraft, blended wing-body configurations, folding-wing designs, or hybrid propulsion systems. The goal is to push innovation and identify the most effective balance between performance, endurance, payload capacity, and carrier compatibility.

Project VANQUISH builds upon earlier Royal Navy experiments with unmanned flight from carriers. A key milestone was achieved in November 2023 when General Atomics successfully conducted short take-off and landing (STOL) operations with its Mojave unmanned aerial system from HMS Prince of Wales. That trial, the first of its kind from a non-catapult-equipped carrier, proved that STOL unmanned aircraft could safely operate in the constrained environment of a ship’s flight deck. The experience from Mojave directly informs the VANQUISH program and demonstrates that such operations are achievable in practice.

The challenge now lies in advancing from demonstration to operational capability. VANQUISH aims to produce a jet-powered, more capable successor to propeller-driven test platforms. The future system must handle rapid deck motion, turbulent airflows, and the complex approach patterns of carrier operations without human intervention. It must also integrate with existing Royal Navy data networks, allowing secure, real-time coordination with F-35B fighters, airborne early warning systems, and shipboard command centers.

From an industrial standpoint, Project VANQUISH is a strategic opportunity for UK aerospace and defense companies to shape the next generation of naval aviation. The Ministry of Defence is using this RFI to survey the capability of the national industrial base and identify potential prime contractors and partners capable of delivering the required technologies. Expertise in autonomy software, high-performance lightweight composites, flight control systems, and maritime operations will be critical to success.

The project also complements other ongoing UK defense initiatives, such as the Royal Air Force’s Loyal Wingman Tranche 2 program and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’s (Dstl) efforts in AI-driven command and control systems. The convergence of these research lines could lead to a unified air autonomy architecture serving both the RAF and Royal Navy by the early 2030s.

Strategically, Project VANQUISH is intended to enhance the UK’s carrier strike capability while reducing risk and cost. By introducing autonomous aircraft into the Royal Navy’s carrier air wing, the UK aims to expand its operational reach, increase sortie rates, and maintain combat effectiveness in high-threat zones where crewed aircraft may be vulnerable. Attritable platforms such as those envisioned under VANQUISH would allow carriers to project air power more persistently and flexibly during complex operations.

If the first demonstration is successfully completed by late 2026, Project VANQUISH could pave the way for an operational unmanned aircraft program by the early 2030s. However, technical challenges remain considerable, particularly in achieving reliable autonomous recovery and mission resilience in rough sea conditions. The outcome of this RFI will determine the future direction of the Royal Navy’s maritime autonomy strategy and its ability to sustain technological parity with leading naval powers.

Project VANQUISH represents a bold step for British defense innovation, bridging the gap between experimental unmanned systems and operational capability. It is a critical move toward transforming the Royal Navy’s air wing into a hybrid force that combines human judgment with machine precision, ensuring that the UK’s carrier strike group remains among the most advanced and adaptable in the world.