ScanEagle to make Royal Navy debut

摘要

The UK Royal Navy was due to carry out its first operational flights with the Boeing/lnsitu ScanEagle unmanned air system in mid-January. "The [ScanEagle] system starts real operations from this week, on maritime security patrols in the [Arabian] Gulf and in the Indian Ocean," maritime aviation capability desk officer Cdr Bow Wheaton said on 15 January. The activity will involve the Type 23 frigate HMS Somerset and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary landing ship Cardigan Bay. Delivered by Boeing Defence UK under a contractor-owned, contractor-operated arrangement with the Ministry of Defence worth £30 million ($49 million), the ScanEagle service will deliver up to 600 flight hours per month.