Thales, in collaboration with Austrian manufacturer Schiebel, has developed and delivered the Peregrine mini helicopter to the United Kingdom. The Royal Navy recently conducted flight trials of the uncrewed aircraft system from the deck of Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster.
The Peregrine is designed to enhance the military’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Equipped with Thales’ IMaster radar, the rotary-wing aircraft is suitable for all-weather, day and night surveillance, tracking, and target identification missions.
Marie Gayrel, vice president of the ISR Business Line at Thales, highlighted the collaboration between the two companies in providing the Royal Navy with this new capability.
“[The Peregrine’s] operational success aboard HMS Lancaster demonstrates the potential of rotary wing uncrewed air systems to transform maritime operations,” the executive said. “This milestone highlights our shared commitment to innovation, safety and delivering critical capability to the fleet, fully aligned with the Royal Navy’s transformation agenda.”
The delivery of the Peregrine follows earlier UAV collaborations between Thales and the Royal Navy. In March, the company’s U.K. subsidiary delivered the first batch of Ariadne autonomous mine-hunting systems, which will be used to locate and counter sea mines.
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