Royal Navy Takes to the Skies with Pilotless Aircraft to Tackle Antarctic Ice
The Royal Navy has broken new ground by launching tiny pilotless aircraft from its ice patrol ship HMS Protector to navigate the treacherous Antarctic ice. Built by the University of southampton/" title="Southampton" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Southampton, these 3D-printed drones are helping the Navy find safe passages through frozen seas for the very first time in this icy region.
Unmanned Aircraft Guide HMS Protector Through Antarctic Ice
Two types of unmanned aerial vehicles took to the skies above the frozen Antarctic waters: a silent, 3D-printed fixed-wing aircraft called SULSA and a nimble quadcopter. Together, they scouted ahead of the HMS Protector, providing real-time, high-quality visuals of the icy environment.
While the Navy’s ScanEagle ‘eyes in the sky’ have patrolled Gulf waters for years, this marks the first deployment of drones in Antarctic conditions. The quadcopter handled short-range surveys, whereas the longer-range SULSA tracked ice formations from above at nearly 60mph.
Meet SULSA: The World’s First 3D-Printed Plane
- Developed by Southampton University experts
- Constructed from nylon in four laser-sintered parts, assembled tool-free
- Weighs just 3kg and costs less than £7,000 a pop
- Controlled remotely from a laptop on HMS Protector
- Near-silent thanks to a tiny engine
“This trial is a vital first step proving UAVs’ value in such harsh environments,” said Captain Rory Bryan, commanding HMS Protector. The drones flew for up to 30 minutes before being recovered from icy waters and relaunched on multiple sorties.
Royal Navy & University Team Celebrate Success
Under supervision from Andrew Lock of Southampton’s Computational Engineering group, the drones captured stunning Antarctic footage, impressing Royal Navy officials back in Portsmouth and Culdrose’s 700X Squadron.
“These flights have shown just what can be achieved with smart design and low cost digital manufacture.” – Professor Andy Keane, University of Southampton
“I am delighted with the success of these small UAVs operating from HMS Protector in the Antarctic,” said Commodore James Morley, Navy’s Assistant Chief of Staff Maritime Capability. “Despite environmental challenges, these aircraft proved affordable, persistent, and invaluable for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.”
The Navy is now reviewing options for acquiring more maritime unmanned aerial vehicles, cementing drones as a gamechanger in protecting Britain’s naval interests—from icy poles to warmer seas.
