Qinetiq Banshee Jet 80+ bent the target of the royal sea service shortly after a live fire exercise as many Wildcat helicopters were dropped.
Banshee 80+ was officially introduced to Royal Navy’s Specialized drone unit 700x Naval Air Squadron (NAS) in 2023 to try drone operating. It was a large 700x experience for the previous NAS with drones to take off and multi-rotational vertical landing, similar to commercial commercials, as well as the firm fan of the fan like RQ-20 PUMA and RQ-20 PUMA and SQM-27 Scaneagle.
It was launched from the portable launch, either from the ground Or on the shipBanshee Jet 80+ dual engine can reach 400 mph and provide endurance over 40 minutes. Publishing umbrella allows freshness and re -use the plane.
Royal Navy Declare On April 9, 2025, that 700 x NAS experience with the plane had ended at the end, and thus the plane retired from service. Several days ago, footage of an exercise, referred to as “Talon Strike”, which shows a Royal Wildcat HMA2 helicopter using Martlet Massiles to shoot down a number of Bansheke drones off Predannack Coast, Cornwall.
This was really the ability Proved in the previous testsBut an opportunity for more trials was seized before Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG 25)The Martlet Wildcats will be one of the many preventive assets available to the work team.
700x nas itself will also be Part of CSG 25 PublishingProvide intelligence, monitoring and reconnaissance capabilities with RQ-20 PUMA, especially the provision of logistical support with MalLoy T-150 EVTOL drone.
“This event represents a two -year crowning of the hard work of the Banchi team.” Note the Loknant Tony NairneBanshee trip commander 700x NAS. “Communication with Wildcat increases the proof that Banshee as a valuable commodity between the war control community. This is a sign of the advanced modern threat.”
.QINETIQ It achieves the first jet plane to the UK, where it deals with a plane and aircraft modified in Banshee Jet 80 drone.
An air driving and control technology allows air -operating task technology (ACCSIOM) drones to communicate with covered aircraft using the same correspondence format as NATO … pic.twitter.com/amdxujgygr
– Navy Lookout (Navylookout) April 25, 2024
Although Banshee has left the 700x NAS service, the type will continue as a drone targeted in service elsewhere in the British army, and on many meters purchased by many of them Customers abroad. QINETIQ continues to develop the Banshee platform, as well as New types with increased capabilities.
This week, we are pleased to join QINETIQ In the delivery of Sharpshooter exercises, a live and artificial training exercise for the royal navy.
Next to Mod Aberport, we designed and connected a set of threat scenarios for the team on board the face. pic.twitter.com/clp7rhn0re
– Inzpire (inzpirelimited) April 2, 2025
40 years of old warriors
Although Banshee Jet 80+, as the latest model, is equipped with many modern features, the basic design of Banshee was first taken to the sky in 1983. It was initially developed by Target Technology Limited, the company later merged into Megitt Target Systems, which was in turn obtained by Qinetique in 2016.
Banshee was originally a fan powered plane, with a single motivated fan at the back, allowing speeds of 185 knots. These previous variables were introduced in dozens of armed forces worldwide, becoming one of the most targeted drones that were ever produced. Done -consuming drones are found on a number of beaches, and some units have been handed over to museums for permanent display.
The culmination of the Banshee of Banshee Whirlwind, which Qinetiq announces that it provides 90 minutes of endurance up to 20,000 feet, as well as speeds of up to 200 knots using a 40 hp engine.
Banshees, a jet powder, arrived in the market in 2010 with Banshee Jet 40, to replace the Whirlwind roundabout with one jet engine with 40 kilograms of fixed orientation. Later, the improved 40+ variable has been developed. The jet engine increases the maximum speed and height in Banshee to 265 knots and 26,000 feet at the cost of endurance, which is reduced to 65 minutes. The addition of a second jet engine from the firm heading of the plane increases to about 80 kilograms, and the Banshee Jet 80 and Jet 80+ recalls.
.hms_Kent She conducted artillery against Banshee drones during #Baltops2020 Practicing pic.twitter.com/ibpreqyd54
– Navy Lookout (Navylookout) June 18, 2020
All variables currently offered (Whirlwind, Jet 40+, Jet 80+) are able to form them with a mixture of visual tracking flares and infrared tracking, Lunberg lensesInfrared and radar measuring distributors, and Devices. The department of the nose can be removed from the plane and replaced with QINETIQ The “hot nose” missile simulation systemWhich is repeated the signing of the infrared radiation resulting from the dynamic heating of the high sound age.
Banshee’s height measuring devices allow to work up to a minimum height of 5 meters, providing the ability to simulate anti -sea giving up missiles. All models are able to carry IFF respondents with mode capabilities and mode C. Show Jet 80+, at least, the ability to do so Send ADS-BWhere it was followed by using technology on web sites such as Flightradar24 and ADS-B exchange.
Mod Qinetiq Banshee target Cornwall today. pic.twitter.com/6tz3y7djgv
– Jamesfennel.bsky.social (@fennelljw) March 16, 2025
Banshees GPS has integrated with self -navigation at the Road Point through the common Autopilot from QINETIQ and the useful monitoring system (CASPA).
QINETIQ says Banshee’s targeted drones were used to test the operational event of a wide range of air defense systems. This includes air missiles to the air such as the AIM-7 Sparrow, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AIM-120 AMRAAM, Meteor, Mica, ASPIDE and R550 Magic.
IRIS-T is tested against Banshee in a surface capacity, along with MIM-104 Patriot, FGM-148 Javelin, Fim-92 Stinger, Crotale, Starstreak and RIM-162 ESSM. Banshee Phalanx, goalkeeper, SEA Zenith, and a group of medium -caliber marine guns.
Ukraine
The UK has provided an unspecified number of Banshee drones to Ukraine as part of military aid packages. This is said to include the latest Jet 80+ type. In the Ukrainian service, the formalized front section of the plane is repeatedly adapted to a small explosive warhead, and it turns the drone into an effective drone to attack.
The Banshee Target plane was reported in Banshee Target, which was reported behind the 🇷🇺russian lines.
Banshee Jet 80 is a twin drone that uses a target of training by RN (Project Vampire) and others. In🇺🇦ukrainian service is likely to be used as an attack in one direction (Owa-UAV).
via CovertShores… pic.twitter.com/0flntyl9le
– Navy Lookout (Navylookout) February 20, 2024
It is not known whether the remaining units of 700x NAS, if any, may include future auxiliary charges for Ukraine for further use in this role. In addition to 10,000 drones, the UK says it has already submitted to Ukraine, on March 6, 2025, Foreign Minister of Defense John Healy announced a deal with Andrill, which will witness Altius-600M and 700 meters of multi-aircraft drones. Contracts worth 30 million pounds.