![]() The programme is reportedly examining their use in strike and air-to-air refuelling missions. On 24 March 2021, Project Vixen was first revealed to the public as a programme to evaluate the use of fixed-wing UAVs from the Queen Elizabeth-class. In January 2021, it was reported that the Royal Navy was seeking a heavy lift UAV for the aircraft carriers to assist with logistics. He also revealed that the Royal Navy had evaluated capability concept demonstrators with Joint Forces Command in 2015. When questioned about the prospect again, in 2016, another Defence Minister, Earl Howe, stated that the Royal Navy viewed them as an "operational advantage", adding that the Queen Elizabeth-class had extensive flight decks, hangars and engineering support facilities to accommodate them. In 2012, speaking on the behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Defence Minister, Philip Dunne, stated publicly that he expected the Royal Navy to utilise UAVs from the Queen Elizabeth-class "at some point during their 50-year lifespans". Fixed-wing UAVs, however, are typically lighter than conventional aircraft and, due to this, they have been considered for these missions by the Royal Navy. This has presented the Royal Navy little choice in aircraft to undertake air-to-air refuelling, carrier on-board delivery and airborne early warning missions, which are better suited to heavier catapult-assisted barrier arrested recovery (CATOBAR) aircraft. Both of these ships feature a short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) configuration which means they are limited to operating STOVL aircraft, such as the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II, tiltrotor aircraft, or helicopters. ![]() The Royal Navy operates two aircraft carriers of the Queen Elizabeth-class, HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) and HMS Prince of Wales (R09). HMS Queen Elizabeth, one of two Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers. ![]()
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