Curiously the 207 Sqn jets were disembarked last week. Perhaps this explains why:
Drones launched from HMS Prince of Wales during landmark demonstration
Fixed-wing drones – called the QinetiQ Banshee Jet 80+ – flew from the carrier’s vast 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 looks like a mini fighter aircraft, can soar to 25,000ft, skim just above the waves, and flies at speeds up to 400 knots (around 460mph).
It is hard to detect on radar, giving it all the likeness of an incoming missile – making it a realistic adversary for sailors to train in countering aerial threats.
These drones could eventually be carried by Royal Navy warships and provide operational training to task groups wherever they might be in the world, allowing them to conduct air defence exercises on demand to test reactions and hone responses.
And the Banshee’s carrying capacity means the Royal Navy can use it for testing future sensors, weaponry and radio equipment.
HMS Prince of Wales is the first Royal Navy ship to carry these drones for demonstration purposes, as she moves towards being fully operational.
The Banshee flights represent the first step for the Royal Navy in exploring how crewless tech could be operated from the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers in the future.
Prince of Wales does appear to have some Merlin HM2s embarked, as well as Wildcat AH1 from 847NAS:
I was hoping for tales of the Lightnings and Merlins being used to protect amphibious forces from air and submarine threats. Classic carrier roles, and classic NATO stuff.