Russia has accused the UK of escalating the war in Ukraine by supplying British-built drones that Ukraine has used to strike Russian oil refineries in Volgograd and Yaroslavl. These may be the Nyan One-Way Effector (OWE), developed by British company Callen-Lenz, part of FalconWorks, the technology division of BAE Systems.
The stealthy delta-wing drone has a 2.9 m wingspan and a maximum take-off weight of more than 75 kg carrying a 20 kg payload. Launched from a pneumatic catapult, the Nyan is powered by a single gas turbine engine, with a cruising speed of about 222 km/h and a reported range of more than 250 km. Its modular design allows different equipment to be installed depending on the mission. In addition to its strike capability, it can engage enemy air defence and EW assets actively and support C-UAS Red Air training operations.
The jet-powered delta-wing OWE has a range of 150 miles and was tested during Exercise Spring Storm in Estonia and by personnel from the Army’s 26 Royal Artillery Regiment and the RN’s 744 Naval Air Squadron, which supported a maritime demonstration. The UK MoD has issued a £34.99 million contract award notice to procure the Nyan OWE drone.
The Royal Navy has successfully launched the strike-capable drone from a ship at sea, marking a significant step forward in the UK’s drive to create a hybrid naval force to defend against evolving threats. Working with British Army colleagues, sailors on the experimentation ship XV Patrick Blackett launched the Nyan OWE during trials off the south coast of England. Pre-programmed to fly to a specific target, the system can be flown from a launcher installed on the ship’s deck.
Nyan drones have reportedly been in service with the Ukrainian Defense Forces since 2024, and one was found on Russian territory after it was mistakenly identified as a new Ukrainian kamikaze drone.
by David Oliver
