Mojave drone lands on Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier

A General Atomics Mojave Remotely Piloted Air System (RPAS) drone has taken off and safely landed back on board HMS Prince of Wales in the first trial of its kind conducted off the east coast of the United States on 15th November.
More photos and details in article here:
www.navylookout.com/mojave-un...
Footage: Royal Navy
Music: Keys of Moon - Time and Space used under Creative Commons License
#hmsprinceofwales #royalnavy #aircraftcarrier

[@gregs7562]

Fantastic. The RN needs to get fully onboard with this for the carriers. The potential is huge. Long range recon & strike. AEW, deployment of sonar Buoys. Free up valuable Merlins from patrol tasks. Even just on airframe hours saved alone its well worth it.

[@PotatoSalad614]

AEW is what we need first. UAVs have a high ceiling and great endurance

[@cluckingbells]

@@PotatoSalad614 We should modernise the Fairey Gannet design for AEW. I believe its landing speed was very low, sub 100mph.

[@kendonian357]

​@@cluckingbellsI've said this for literally years. This drone won't be able to carry a big enough radar to be a decent AEW

[@capn82]

This!! At least not in this current configuration, or any that are likely in the pipeline. I also still have doubts about the massive amount of data that will need to be transferred real time. It means lots of very high bandwidth data links, all subject to SWaP considerations, plus susceptibility to EW. The tech isn’t there yet. Oh. And radar SWaP would be huge already.

[@tcp0023]

Mojave drone equipped with EagleEye radar can be used for aerial warning，It can stay in the air for 25 hours

[@admiralmallard7500]

Loved the angled take off, really hope we develop this further

[@DrawnInk1]

It will

[@frank-ko6de]

its not yours, Its american. Youre Broke Britain, remember?

[@admiralmallard7500]

​@@frank-ko6deThe Royal Navy have Leased it for testing, so no, not broke

[@frank-ko6de]

@@admiralmallard7500 Key word is leased. Meaning its not yours and you spent not a single pence in its research and development. Learn to not take credit for what's never yours, it's really just naff. Broke Britain.

[@regarded9702]

​@@frank-ko6de woke up on the wrong side of the bed?

[@mdhossain4316]

Turkey also getting similar type capabilities by inducting TB3 in their light aircraft carrier TCG Anadolu

[@cluckingbells]

Nice capability to act as a forward refuelling and rearming station for these types but unless it has wings that fold (52ft span) its a bit of a spacehog on a carrier.

[@admiralmallard7500]

This is just a test aircraft, folding wings are something they plan

[@josephtuckett9821]

Any news on potential acquisitions of this system/similar systems?

[@admiralmallard7500]

Only testing so far, but they certainly want a system like this

[@davesimpson5702]

Google RN's Project Vixen

[@cjm2995]

This would be great for Australian RAN Canberra class ships as well.

[@AftonAdams]

Yep, just go buy it from the Americans… and bring lots of money…

[@standrewpics]

Seems to be a very short landing and take off drone , clearly there is a place for this aircraft on aircraft carriers .

[@thepymes]

The goal has to be the STOL wing and tail kit that GA are developing for the Protector RG1s that the RAF are already buying. Protectors offer greater range, endurance and payload with pods for surface search, SIGINT, EW, TDLs and a proposal for an AEW payload featuring two side-facing arrays. The QECs could be in for a very exciting future...

[@andrewfreeman9620]

Wow, that looked like an incredibly short take-off and landing! It would be interesting to know how much longer the take-off would be with a decent load of fuel and stores.

[@graveperil2169]

as a toy 152m for ISR 300m full load of weapons and fuel 488m HMS Prince of Wales 284m looks like we get the toy option

[@admiralmallard7500]

​@graveperil2169 there's the MQ 9B bring developed to take off of ships like the US LHDs, so could certainly take off of here

[@graveperil2169]

@@admiralmallard7500 "carrier-based variant of the MQ-9, the General Atomics Mojave" I think that the MQ 9B and the Mojave shown here are the same thing to compare the MQ-1C Gray Eagle needs 910m when loaded

[@davesimpson5702]

No - thats why the RN has a requirement for a single Emals on the QEC for such UAS launches @@graveperil2169

[@admiralmallard7500]

​@@graveperil2169No Mojave is a different system, smaller drone based off those. Hopefully we look at getting the Sea guardian though

[@nicholasmassey6941]

i wonder if it would be better to have one carrier filled with drones, but i guess they cant go as fast as fighter jets.

[@Retrosicotte]

You don't "fill" carriers permanently like that. Carriers are just moving airfields that you can assign whatever to. You don't make "all F-35s on QE and all drones on PWLS". You just send what you need to whichever one.

[@vincentvoncarnap2473]

In the current conflict, I assume it would be good to have a 50/50 loadout, as (at least I think so) air defense threats (such as solider mounted anti-air missiles) are not that great, so drones could cheaply do reconnaissance and strike missions, but F-35s could deter larger threats.

[@Theboxingobserver]

This process is painfully slow. It really isn't hard landing/taking off for a drone vs an F35. Our carriers should teeming with UAVs by now.

[@regarded9702]

Would be great without the music

[@danmacalpinbruce2555]

I was sad to find out the navy is so small these days

[@ARPTakao]

Your thumbnail says mjoave instead of mojave

[@filicefilice]

❤❤❤

[@bmelo909]

Based on the US reaper design

[@j.m.youngquist419]

The future is here! The future is know.

[@wendyharbon7290]

This is good news for the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm and RAF joint operations for the future. If the MoD and Defence Ministers, plus Admirals and Air Marshalls, grab hold of this with both hands. The RAF already have MQ-9 Reaper drones, if the UK Government place one MQ-9 Reaper Squadron of 9 drones, onboard each of the two Royal Navy Carriers. That is onboard both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, along with two squadrons (18 to 24 aircraft) of F-35B Lighting ll Multi-role Fighters, plus one Anti-Submarine /Surface Vessel Warfare (5 Merlins and 5 Wildcats) helicopter Squardon too. This would be a force multiple for our British Carriers, especially if more new Multi-role MQ-9 Reaper drones were purchased, for the FFA to operate from the two Carriers. With these new FAA Squadrons of MQ-9 Reapers, being upgraded improve marine environment protected, plus equipped with interchangeable sensors and weapon packages. For Maritime Reconnaissance Strike missions, Over Land Reconnaissance Attack / Close Air Support missions. As well as both Airborne Early Warning and Control plus Communication Relay missions, or Electronic Countermeasure Reconnaissance and Suppression of Enemy Air Defence mission too. Equally Air to Air Refuelling of another Drone mission, could be possible too. Whether MQ-9 could carry enough or a useful load of aviation fuel, to be of use for Air to Air Refuelling of an F-35B is another matter, while being able to take off from an Aircraft Carrier short flight deck too? Though Refuelling another MQ-9 drone, is very possible for a second modified MQ-9 drone to do, the transferable fuel required is much less. Nice to see the Royal Navy Carriers, are ahead of the game for once, the Royal Navy did after invent Air Carriers first. The Royal Navy was the first to install armoured flight decks too, plus the Royal Navy were the first to install angled flight deck too. Let alone introduce trapping and arrest wires plus tail hooks aircraft landing on carriers as well. So the British using Multi-role naval drones, as a force multiple. Let alone getting one over, on the US Navy and other Countries Navy's, who operate Carriers too is the best news of all!

[@wendyharbon7290]

This is good news for the Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm and RAF joint operations for the future. If the MoD and Defence Ministers, plus Admirals and Air Marshalls, grab hold of this with both hands, Especially if the Defence Committee MP’s ask question of Defence Ministers and Admirals plus Air Marshall’s over this now, or MP’s in the house do too? The RAF already have MQ-9 Reaper drones or purchased the Mojave drones, if the UK Government place one MQ-9 Reaper or Mojave Squadron of 9 drones, onboard each of the two Royal Navy Carriers. That is onboard both HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, along with two squadrons (18 to 24 aircraft) of F-35B Lighting ll Multi-role Fighters, plus one Anti-Submarine / Surface Vessel Warfare (5 Merlin’s and 5 Wildcats) helicopter Squadron too. Maybe with three Bell Boeing Osprey CMV-22B U.S. Navy variant for the Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) role, Similar to the MV-22B but includes an extended-range fuel system, as well as fitted with satellite and high-frequency radio a push a public address system. With a British version of Osprey CMV-22B multi-mission (COD / VERTREP, or CSAR / SFT plus CAAR too), tilt-rotor military aircraft with both vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. Designed to combine the functionality of a conventional helicopter with the long-range, high-speed cruise performance of a turboprop aircraft. Giving the Royal Navy Carries Strike Group, the ability to perform both Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) from shore to Aircraft Carrier firstly, then Vertical replenishment, (or VERTREP), between the Aircraft Carrier and Escorts plus Auxiliary Support Vessels in the Aircraft Carrier Strike Group too. As well as perform both long range Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR) and/or Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) between warships and shore of the Aircraft Carrier Strike Group too, plus carryout Covert Insertion and Extraction Operation’s (CIEOp’s) in the Special Forces Transport (SFT) role too. Lastly a Joint Squadron of Royal Navy / RAF 15 Osprey CMV-22B multi-mission Tilt-Rotor Aircraft, being able to the install with an interchangeable Roll-In / Roll-Out Air-to-Air Refuelling Pod (RI/RO-AARP) System, plus with as many as necessary extra Portable Inflatable Fuel Storage Bladders (PIFSB’s) too. Would give both Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier, their own Combat Air-to-Air Refuelling (CAAR1) capability, to support F-35B’s from the Aircraft Carriers and equally Royal Navy / Royal Marines helicopters, with an independent in-flight refuelling capabilities too. Though these new version of the MQ-9 Reaper, These would be a force multiple for our British Carriers, especially if more new Multi-role MQ-9 Reaper or the Mojave drones were purchased, for the FFA to operate from the two Carriers. With these new FAA Squadrons of MQ-9 Reapers or of Mojave, being upgraded improve marine environment protected, plus equipped with interchangeable sensors and weapon packages. For Maritime Reconnaissance Strike missions, Over Land Reconnaissance Attack / Close Air Support missions. As well as both Airborne Early Warning and Control plus Communication Relay missions, or Electronic Countermeasure Reconnaissance and Suppression of Enemy Air Defence mission too. Equally Air to Air Refuelling of another Drone mission, could be possible too. Whether MQ-9 or the Mojave could carry enough or a useful load of aviation fuel, to be of use for Air to Air Refuelling of an F-35B is another matter, while being able to take off from an Aircraft Carrier short flight deck too? Though Refuelling another MQ-9 drone, is very possible for a second modified MQ-9 drone to do, the transferable fuel required is much less. Nice to see the Royal Navy Carriers, are ahead of the game for once, the Royal Navy did after invent Air Carriers first. The Royal Navy was the first to install armoured flight decks too, plus the Royal Navy were the first to install angled flight deck too. Let alone introduce trapping and arrest wires plus tail hooks aircraft landing on carriers as well. So the British using Multi-role naval drones, as a force multiple. Let alone getting one over, on the US Navy and other Countries Navy's, who operate Carriers too is the best news of all!

[@patthonsirilim5739]

the carriers could carry a bunch of them to provide round the clock strike group overwacth and recon during deployment pair it with some v22 osprey as tanker long range cargo and a variant that carry aew suit that operate as a carrier awacs like of like the us carrier e2d hawkeye and c2 greyhound this with a full load of f35b with merlin as asw helicopter will make this carrier a macth for even the us carrier.

[@Swatmat]

come on, at least use the ski jump!

[@goelnuma6527]

Looks a bit ugly

[@ScottishRoss27]

Any fighter jets yet?

[@davesimpson5702]

You obviously haven't been looking - bore off troll

[@graveperil2169]

31

[@ScottishRoss27]

@@graveperil2169 Pathetic wee cut to the bone shrunken armed forces.

[@petersellers9219]

Nevermind the jets, I'm eagerly awaiting the customised ladies and Trans flight suits 😂

[@Retrosicotte]

There's been jets since 2018, Ross, do keep up.

[@muhammedmustafa4603]

Damat sever bayraktarcılar gelir birazdan toplama dronlarini övmek için 😅

[@pretcherschannel5024]

yanmışsın

[@muhammedmustafa4603]

@@pretcherschannel5024 sende üşümüşsun galiba mahmut

[@selcuk4169]

Boşuna uğraşmayın en iyisi bizde... BAYRAKTAR TB3 & KIZILELMA 🇹🇷

[@Terracotta-warriors_Sea]

Or you can buy the TB3 at a fraction of the cost or the much more capable stealth Kızılelma and that too at a lower cost!

[@admiralmallard7500]

Hasn't even flown yet

[@1421davidm]

@@admiralmallard7500 Maiden flight was made 27/10/2023.

[@admiralmallard7500]

​@@1421davidmGreat, however. Can it support an AEW radar. The purpose of getting these drones in the RNs case is more than likely for AEW and ASW purposes

[@CH-lb3ho]

Yes, junk is always cheaper

[@Terracotta-warriors_Sea]

@@admiralmallard7500 It flew several weeks back now undergoing qualitifcation testing kzbin.info/www/bejne/apndiH2df9WKn9U

[@desydukuk291]

Another American aircraft, totally humiliating.

[@admiralmallard7500]

So RAF F35s are totally humiliating? Also the Royal navy paid for this trial

[@desydukuk291]

@@admiralmallard7500 Son, the British are well known as the "borrowers" and the Americans, as everyone knows, are the "users" see uncle sam's histories of ww1 and ww2, always late and never reliable, just like russians . It is completely humiliating. Why do we need two aircraft carriers anyway? You know why of course, to appear well endowed, fools.

[@newton18311]

the frame may be off the shelf, But the avionics would be British.

[@tcp0023]

The engine is made by British Rolls-Royce

[@desydukuk291]

@@tcp0023 Okey Dokey.

[@elitegroup7461]

This is not impressive! We’re always acting like the skint country. Have Taranis drones flying off the AC. Show our power!!!!

[@elitegroup7461]

@@JimCarner we’re a left wing whack job country though. And it all costs to much and we can’t say it to the public. They need to get a bloody grip. Tell the public how it is and they can like it or lump it. Defence spending and national security should be more important than NHS.

[@elitegroup7461]

@@JimCarner I’m talking a military budget of £200 billion pounds a year. Not manufacturing 5 taranis drones and keeping it top secret. Show the world our power once again. And we’re not afraid to spend money as well.

[@elitegroup7461]

@@JimCarner I would he satisfied for the Navy and RAF to have 100 taranis drones each. 200 F35 10 dreadnought subs. Act like the powerhouse we should be. Not being a ponce of the Americans. And be twice as powerful as the frogs as well

[@elitegroup7461]

@@JimCarner your missing the point. We have nuclear submarines nothings a threat once all said a done. We wouldn’t get into a war with china or Russia. You’re also forgetting British overseas territories like Diego Garcia. We have military bases all over the globe. We don’t need long range anything. The only thing we need long range is trident D2 missiles.

[@elitegroup7461]

@@JimCarner our carrier groups be under threat from what? You forget what lurks underneath the water of the carrier strike groups. Hell on earth is what lurks underneath them aircraft carriers.

[@hakkul5027]

Bayraktar TB3 looks better and more ready than this