U.K. Army, Navy Test Low-cost Attack Drone Developed by BAE Systems Subsidiary

The U.K. Navy and Army have tested a domestically produced low cost One-Way Effector (OWE) Uncrewed Air System (UAS)  for the first time.

The “Nyan” OWE, that belongs to the Iranian Shahed category of low cost attack drones, was designed and built by BAE Systems’ entity Callen-Lenz, is a small uncrewed aircraft with a 2.9-metre wingspan, designed to provide a precision strike capability.

Earlier this month, it was launched from the Navy’s experimentation ship XV Patrick Blackett off the south coast of England during Exercise Neptune Reach which saw the U.K  Navy,  Army and Air Force working together under Project Vantage - a programme focused on accelerating the test and evaluation of maritime attack drones.

In May, the army put Nyan through its paces during Exercise Spring Storm in Estonia, as part of the UK's deep fire capability in support of NATO allies.

Britain is serious about the transition to a Hybrid Navy with new, powerful drones at the heart of the Royal Navy. By bringing together Army and Navy expertise to field strike drones from a ship at sea, we are accelerating the capabilities our forces need to stay ahead of our adversaries: Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry:

Nyan is already operationally proven on land, with more than 1,000 units produced. The most recent trials saw a launcher system capable of launching OWE drones at up to 55 metres a second fitted to the ship's deck to test how Nyan could best be operated from a moving naval platform.

This trial makes a significant step forward in delivering Maritime One-Way Effectors at pace. Under Project Vantage we are planning to integrate these capabilities into the Hybrid Navy, combining crewed platforms with uncrewed systems to expand reach, increase tempo and enhance lethality.

Working closely with our army colleagues, this activity demonstrates how we are accelerating Atlantic Strike concepts into practical, deployable capabilities of the fleet.

Lieutenant Commander David Burton, Maritime One Way Effectors Capability Sponsor, Royal Navy

These latest trials with Nyan form part of BAE Systems’ expanding portfolio of uncrewed air systems being produced through its FalconWorks advanced research and technology hub.