Royal Navy launches new drones as it experiments with crewless technology

The Royal Navy launched drones that look like mini fighter aircraft from a warship as it begins its experiment with crewless technology in the naval fleet.

Aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales launched the fixed-wing drones called the QinetiQ Banshee Jet 80+.

Footage shows the drones take off from the carrier’s flight deck to assess how they might be used to train personnel in defending against ever-more-capable fast jets and missiles.

The jet-powered Banshee, which is hard to detect on radar, can soar to 25,000ft, skim just above the waves, and flies at speeds up to 400 knots (around 460mph).