UK built Uncrewed Air System advances low-cost counter-drone capability

A modified version of BAE Systems subsidiary Malloy Aeronautics’ T-150 Uncrewed Air System (UAS) intercepted multiple one-way attack drones during a US Office of the Under Secretary for Research & Engineering (OUSW) experiment.

During the OUSW R&E Mission Capabilities Joint Readiness Experimentation exercise at the Eglin Air Force Base, Florida in late September, the TRV-150 was equipped with a three-pod launcher firing BAE Systems’ laser-guided APKWS® rockets to engage several targets in succession without landing or reloading.  The trials, conducted alongside BAE Systems Maryland-based partner, SURVICE Engineering, demonstrated how low-cost precision weapons can be integrated onto uncrewed platforms to counter the growing drone threats on the battlefield.

Thomas Lancashire, Head of UAS Business Development, BAE Systems’ FalconWorks®,said: “Our customers are facing drone threats right now, so we’ve worked at pace with our partners to move from concept to a proven system, which can engage multiple targets in a single mission. 

“Military technology is evolving faster than ever and it’s vital that effective capabilities reach those who protect us as quickly as possible.  In today’s environment, the speed at which we deliver equipment can be just as important as the system itself.”

These latest tests build on the first-ever single-shot firing of a precision munition from an adapted T-150 in July last year, extending that capability through the use of a production-ready three-pod launcher system to engage with air targets.

Gregory Thompson, President, SURVICE,said:

“Supporting the warfighter has been at the core of SURVICE’s mission since its founding over 45 years ago. Bringing the TRV-150 to the US warfighter and now adding APKWS as a proven, precise, and cost-effective capability to our TRV-150 UAS platform is exactly the type of innovation SURVICE was designed to deliver.”

Besides its counter-drone role, the platform has also already been deployed with UK armed forces to deliver tactical logistics, most notably with the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group where it carried supplies between ships throughout its eight-month Indo-Pacific deployment last year.

The version of the Malloy T-150 involved in these air-to-air targeting trials, known as the TRV-150, was adapted to meet the US Army requirements by industry partner SURVICE Engineering whilst the APKWS modification kit was developed and integrated by BAE Systems FalconWorks division.

SURVICE Engineering is one of several industry partners working with BAE Systems around the world to develop tactical counter-drone systems, combining agility, affordability and operational flexibility within a multi-role configurable concept.

The team will now look to build on this success to extend the T-150’s use in this way to the maritime environment, with the aim of ultimately helping protect customers from similar threats at sea.

photo courtesy BAE Systems