The Royal Navy of Great Britain tested the launches of drones from an aircraft carrier of the Queen Elizabeth type. A jet unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was launched from the deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales. This is reported by the UK Defense Journal.
British sailors used QinetiQ Banshee Jet 80+ flying targets. Three drones were launched from a pneumatic launcher. After generating fuel, the UAVs landed with the help of parachutes. The Banshee Jet 80+ can spend up to 45 minutes in the air, and the maximum flight speed of the device is 740 kilometers per hour.
Test launches made it possible to work out the integration of the launcher and the UAV into the existing aircraft carrier. The British military plans to use the QinetiQ Banshee Jet 80+ on ships for exercises of air defense units. The shape of the drone causes its low visibility, which allows the UAV to simulate cruise missiles.
Earlier, China introduced a drone that can stay in the sky for about 20 hours. The CH-6 drone was announced during Airshow China-2021. The maximum speed of the CH-6 is 700 kilometers per hour, according to the Global Times.
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Daniil Irinin