The Ministry of Defence has confirmed that work on autonomous, carrier-based refuelling and logistics aircraft for the Royal Navy remains ongoing, underlining that no decisions have yet been taken on fielding such systems.
In written answers to the House of Lords, defence minister Lord Coaker said the Royal Navy is “exploring Fixed Wing Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) as an augmentation for the F-35B Lightning jets embarked on Queen Elizabeth Class carriers,” including their potential role in air-to-air refuelling within the future Hybrid Air Wing.
The statement confirms that autonomous refuelling aircraft remain part of active capability development rather than a settled procurement. Lord Coaker said the Royal Navy will work “collaboratively with the Royal Air Force to evaluate emerging solutions for this capability.”
The minister pointed to Project Vanquish as the current demonstrator effort, describing it as “the demonstration of a short take-off and landing jet-powered ACP to a QEC carrier,” and said it represents “the first step to realising this ambition.” No in-service date or procurement decision has yet been set.
In a separate written answer, Lord Coaker also reaffirmed that the Royal Navy is still assessing options for an autonomous Carrier Onboard Delivery capability. He said “all options for a Carrier Onboard Delivery capability are being considered,” with work underway on unmanned maritime lift concepts.
That activity includes trials of “fixed and rotary-wing aircraft capable of operating from Queen Elizabeth Class carriers,” but again without a commitment to a specific platform or timetable.
Both capability areas are linked to the Hybrid Air Wing model recommended in the Strategic Defence Review. Lord Coaker said that “investment decisions to support Strategic Defence Review recommendations are being developed” and will be detailed in the Defence Investment Plan.