Royal Navy warships and Royal Marines operating behind enemy lines will be supported from the air by two drone systems now ready for front-line operations.

After two years of trials and development, including collaboration with operational partner forces, a fleet of Malloy T-150 Uncrewed Air Systems will be deployed to carry ammunition, weaponry, food, personal and medical supplies to Royal Marines Commandos operating in all manner of extreme environments.

Meanwhile, Royal Navy warships will gain valuable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities thanks to the Peregrine mini helicopter’s formal entry into service.

Royal Marines and the Royal Navy’s drone operators from 700X Naval Air Squadron and Commando Logistic Regiment have put the Malloy T-150s through a demanding set of tests and exercises, from the freezing Arctic to the Indian Ocean, over the past eight months. This work has resulted in the systems being declared ready to Release to Service, which means they are ready to be used during operations.

The Malloy UAS has proved immensely valuable in rapidly bringing supplies over complex terrain, reaching places where traditional supply lines are simply unviable. With eight rotor blades, each around two feet in length, an endurance of up to 40 minutes, top speed of 60mph, and the ability to lift up to 68kg, the Malloy T-150 is a proven, capable and versatile platform.

It needs a team of two, one remote pilot and a second to monitor the drone’s command unit, and can be flown manually or autonomously to designated waypoints with an underslung cargo.

Brigadier Chris Haw, Head of the Commando Forces Programme, said: “The UK Commando Force continues to be at the vanguard of operational change in embedding digital and autonomous systems into the way we fight. The introduction of logistic drones represents a significant expansion in the Commando Force’s use of Uncrewed Aerial Systems, beyond those already in-service for surveillance/reconnaissance, and importantly reduces the risk to personnel during tactical re-supply. Tested in operationally representative conditions, and developed in close collaboration with Malloy, the equipment and operators have made considerable progress. The T-150 has great potential for broader use-cases as we have recently seen in operational theatres and on the Carrier Strike deployment.”