Royal Navy Celebrates Fifth Anniversary Of Drone Squadron

Royal Navy experts are embracing the next generation tech as they celebrate five successful years operating drones on the front line.

700X Naval Air Squadron – which marks its fifth anniversary next month – is preparing to introduce the Peregrine helicopter into service, the latest addition to the specialist unit’s growing fleet of crewless systems.

The squadron was established after the First Sea Lord at the time – today’s Chief of the General Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin – outlined his ambition for the Navy to harness drone technology, operating them alongside existing helicopters and stealth jets. 

Five years down the line and the Culdrose-based squadron has mastered the Puma reconnaissance drone, regularly deploying ‘flights’ to operate from Royal Navy warships, and has trialled its successor at the international drone exercise, REPMUS, in Portugal.

There are now nine qualified Puma teams – six of them dedicated to supporting Royal Marines of 40 and 45 Commando.

Small, making it hard to sight from the ground, with a range of more than 30 miles and endurance of two hours, Puma has proved ideal for reconnaissance and intelligence-gathering over land and sea.

It’s been used by HMS Trent and boarding teams both off Africa and on disaster-relief and anti-drugs operations in the Caribbean, while HMS Spey has used Puma to identify vessels working alongside the Republic of Korea Navy and commandos flew it on reconnaissance/gunnery spotting sorties during the large-scale Predators Run exercise Australia over the summer.

Closer to home, since December, 700X has been operating Banshee jet-powered drones from Predannack Airfield, near Culdrose.

Operating at speeds in excess of 400mph and with a range of more than 60 miles, the Banshee has allowed the squadron to build up a core of expertise in these powerful air systems.

“We have come a long way in the past five years, which is not surprising given the fast-paced world of autonomous and remotely-piloted air systems,” said 700X NAS’ Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Marcus Pennant.

“As a squadron we are continually researching new systems and assessing how they can be of use to the Royal Navy. At the heart of this endeavour are the men and women who rotate through the squadron - from aircrew and engineers to Royal Marine commandos.” 

To read more about the squadron, please visit the Royal Navy's website.