South Coast Of England – The Royal Navy has successfully launched a strike-capable drone from a ship at sea, marking a significant step forward in the United Kingdom’s effort to build a hybrid naval force capable of responding to evolving threats.

Working alongside British Army personnel, sailors aboard the experimentation ship XV Patrick Blackett launched the Nyan One Way Effector drone during recent trials off the south coast of England.

The autonomous drone had already undergone extensive testing during land-based exercises before being taken to sea to examine how it could be operated from a naval vessel.

The system, pre-programmed to fly to a specific target, was launched from a launcher installed on the deck of the ship.

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