The RN has successfully demonstrated a secure network allowing helicopters, drones and ground forces to operate together across more than 200 miles, marking another significant step towards its future Hybrid Navy concept, Navy Lookout reports.
The week-long Dragon Rider trials were conducted by the Maritime Aviation Strike Operational Advantage Group (formally the Wildcat Maritime Force) and linked a specially modified Wildcat helicopter with multiple uncrewed aerial systems. Royal Marines on the ground and command elements at RNAS Yeovilton supported the effort using a resilient communications network capable of operating over long distances.
The trials, conducted from the Lizard peninsula in Cornwall to Somerset and Salisbury Plain, built on the earlier Eagles Eye experiment held in January. That work demonstrated for the first time that drones could stream live targeting data directly to Wildcat crews before the capability was exercised in Norway during Exercise Tamber Shield.
The full article is here.
