Royal Navy declares Peregrine ready for front-line operations
The Royal Navy this week announced the official In-Service Date (ISD) for its Peregrine Rotary Wing Uncrewed Air System (RWUAS) capability, a major milestone in strengthening the Fleet’s Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) effectiveness.
Thales press release
Developed in partnership with Schiebel, Peregrine provides the Royal Navy with a cutting-edge, shipborne uncrewed aerial solution that extends the eyes and ears of the Fleet far beyond the horizon. Equipped with the Thales I-Master radar, Peregrine delivers world-class, all-weather, day-and-night surveillance, tracking and target identification — enabling commanders to make faster and better-informed decisions in complex maritime and littoral environments.
The Peregrine capability has already proven its value on the front line, having successfully deployed with HMS Lancaster on live operations. From supporting maritime security missions to enhancing surveillance coverage, the system has demonstrated agility, persistence and reliability in the demanding environment of naval operations.
Crucially, Peregrine is a core element of the Royal Navy’s Maritime Aviation Transformation Strategy, which is introducing a new generation of both crewed and uncrewed systems to ensure the Fleet maintains a decisive advantage in the face of evolving global threats.
Marie Gayrel, Vice-President in charge of the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaisance activities, Thales, said:“As Thales, along with Schiebel, we are proud to partner with the Royal Navy in delivering the Peregrine capability. Its operational success aboard HMS Lancaster demonstrates the potential of rotary wing uncrewed air systems to transform maritime operations. This milestone highlights our shared commitment to innovation, safety and delivering critical capability to the Fleet, fully aligned with the Royal Navy’s transformation agenda. With decades of experience in designing and delivering advanced uncrewed systems across air, land and sea domains, Thales brings proven expertise and technology that ensure the Royal Navy benefits from the very best in operational capability.”
Captain Dave Gillett, Head of Navy Develop’s Maritime Aviation & Carrier Strike, said:“The introduction of Peregrine into service is a game-changer for our surface fleet. Its successful deployment with HMS Lancaster shows how uncrewed systems can deliver real operational advantage, extending our surveillance reach and enhancing our decision-making in theatre.
“With the integration of the IMaster radar, Peregrine provides exceptional surveillance capability and is a vital step for wider Maritime Aviation Transformation, ensuring the Royal Navy remains at the forefront of innovation in naval aviation.”
The declaration of Peregrine’s ISD reaffirms the Royal Navy’s commitment to adopting advanced uncrewed technologies to safeguard national interests and contribute to global maritime security.
