Royal Navy deploys mini-helicopter drone for the first time

The Royal Navy has used its new mini-helicopter drone for the first time on drug-hunting operations in the Middle East.

Measuring just 3 meters (10 feet) long, the advanced drone Peregrine has been performing extensive surveillance missions from the flight deck of the Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster. Deployed in the Middle East for a long-term maritime security mission, HMS Lancaster is patrolling the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman to combat smugglers and drug traffickers operating along the ‘Hash Highway.’

Despite its compact size, Peregrine is capable of carrying out long sorties lasting up to five hours, covering vast expanses of ocean, and offering unparalleled surveillance capabilities. It feeds live radar data, imagery, and a continuous stream of information directly into the warship’s operations room, providing real-time intelligence.

The drone’s ability to see at night and in low-visibility conditions, using radar and infrared/electro-optical cameras, makes it particularly effective in maritime operations, the navy noted.

“Being part of the team that used Peregrine in our counter-narcotics operations was a fascinating experience,” said AB(AWW) Bradley Morris.

“The clarity of the images we obtained from miles away was impressive and highlighted the advanced capabilities we have at our disposal. It’s exciting to see how technology is enhancing our operations at sea.”

Commander Sam Stephens, HMS Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, emphasized the importance of the Peregrine’s deployment, calling it “a key milestone in the evolution of the Royal Navy’s uncrewed capability.”

He added: “This is just the start, as we continue to unlock the game-changing capabilities with every flight, gaining the advantage over smugglers and adversaries alike.”

The team from 700X Naval Air Squadron – the Royal Navy’s dedicated drone unit based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall – has also operated Peregrine concurrently with the Wildcat to unlock the potential of drones and crewed aircraft working together.

Lt Cdr Rob Guest, overseeing both the Wildcat and Peregrine operations on the ship, noted that there are promising results of combining uncrewed aerial systems with the crewed Wildcat aircraft. This integration has provided the ship’s command team with additional assets that complement its existing capabilities.

The mini helicopter is a Royal Navy-specific variant of the civilian Schiebel S-100, equipped with UK military tech: radar and an infra-red/electro-optical camera giving it the ability to ‘see’ at night and in poor visibility as it moves over the ocean at speeds up to 125 mph.

During its operational debut, Peregrine located and monitored several board and search operations as Lancaster’s Royal Marines boarded suspect dhows, seizing drugs and other contraband.

HMS Lancaster has recently completed a spell of maintenance in Bahrain which has seen upgrades to its weapon systems and sensors, and the complex task of replacing one of the frigate’s diesel generators. The vessel did not only receive this upgrade but it was also fitted with a new counter-drone system.