BAE Systems Australia unveils homegrown military drone
Reuters
Published Feb 27, 2023 09:03PM ET
Updated Feb 27, 2023 09:51PM ET
AVALON, Australia (Reuters) -BAE Systems Australia and another local manufacturer on Tuesday unveiled a new uncrewed military aircraft that will be designed, manufactured and armed in Australia.
The 2.6 meter by 4.5 meter (8.5 foot by 14.8 foot) STRIX uncrewed air system (UAS), launched at the Avalon Air Show, will be capable of air to ground strikes, surveillance and reconnaissance in "high-risk environments".
Work on a prototype is under way, with operational service possible by 2026, said Ben Hudson (NYSE:HUD), chief executive of BAE Systems (OTC:BAESF) Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems, Britain's biggest defence company.
"We’re excited that this is the first UAS of its kind to be developed in Australia and look forward to working with partners across the country to deliver this capability to customers,” Hudson said.
Hudson told Reuters there was strong interest from two unnamed international customers. Asked whether the United States was one of the two, he said: "What I would say is that we need a fuller business case for something like this. And I mean the U.S. market is huge."
Defence contractors are increasingly investing in autonomous technology as militaries look for cheaper and safer ways to maximise resources.
Boeing (NYSE:BA) is designing the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, a fighter-like drone, alongside the Royal Australian Air Force. Announced in 2019, it was the first combat aircraft to be manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years.
BAE Systems Australia programme manager Natalie Waldie said the company has been in touch with the Australian Defence Force, although STRIX was not developed in response to tender.
Developed alongside Perth-based Innovaero, STRIX will be able to carry a payload of up to 160 kilogrammes (353 pounds) over 800 kilometres, and take off and land vertically. It can be stored in shipping containers.
BAE Systems Australia will also deliver a new low-cost precision-guided munition, known as RAZER, usable with STRIX.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.