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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).
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