Royal Navy Tests Sea-Launched Nyan Drone as Pivot to Hybrid Carrier Force

During Neptune Reach, the Royal Navy successfully launched the Nyan one-way effector drone from the experimental ship XV Patrick Blackett, a key step in Project Vantage toward a Hybrid Navy that blends crewed ships with unmanned strike drones. Built by Callen-Lenz (BAE Systems) for precision strikes, the low-cost Nyan (under £100k, ~9.5 ft wingspan, range >93 miles) has already seen extensive land testing and NATO use, with future at-sea trials and potential carrier deployments (including HMS Queen Elizabeth) as part of a broader drive toward catapult-enabled drone operations.