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Callen-Lenz

Organization, also known as Callen Lenz

BAE Systems' British drone maker, behind Nyan, the strike drone the Royal Navy has just launched from an aircraft carrier for the first time.

About

Callen-Lenz is based in Wiltshire. It was founded in 2007 as an aviation consultancy and grew into building uncrewed aircraft and the avionics that fly them, adding the autopilot maker SkyCircuits in 2013.

BAE Systems bought the company in May 2024 and placed it in FalconWorks, its advanced research and development arm. BAE did not announce the purchase at the time. Its sister company is Malloy Aeronautics, a heavy-lift drone maker BAE acquired in early 2024.

Its best-known product is Nyan, a small one-way strike drone designed for both land and sea use. The Royal Navy and the British Army have both put it through live trials in 2026.

What it makes

  • NyanOne-way strike drone, 2.9 m wingspan. A Maritime version flew from HMS Queen Elizabeth in October 2026.
  • KoiosUncrewed aircraft, in design and manufacture since 2019.
  • SC3Autopilot and mission avionics, launched 2019.

Facts

Parent
BAE Systems (FalconWorks), since May 2024
Founded
2007
Based
Wiltshire, UK
Nyan wingspan
2.9 m
Nyan produced
More than 1,000 (BAE, July 2026)

Latest

  • Mid-Oct 2026Nyan Maritime launched from HMS Queen Elizabeth in the North Atlantic, the first strike drones launched from a British carrier. Announced 5 Nov.
  • Early Jul 2026Nyan launched from the Royal Navy ship XV Patrick Blackett while under way.
  • May 2026British Army artillery regiment fires Nyan in Estonia during Exercise Spring Storm.
  • Feb 2026UK contract award notice for Nyan.

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