Delegates flocked to the BAE Systems stand on day one of the Australian International Airshow this week to witness the launch of a new Australian-designed and manufactured VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) Uncrewed Air System (UAS).
The new UAS, named STRIX, is being developed in partnership with Perth-based Innovaero as a hybrid, tandem wing, multi-domain and multi-role capability.
The VTOL platform, also capable of conventional forward flight as for a fixed-wing aircraft, has been designed for various tactical roles, predominantly to support ground and maritime forces or to team with manned helicopters.
The 2.6 metre by 4.5 metre UAS will be capable of air to ground strikes against hostile targets and intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance and electronic warfare (ISTAREW).
BAE Systems Australia said the capability is unique due to its combination of munitions payload capacity and range capability in a VTOL platform.
“Its uniqueness is that it combines the power and convenience of a VTOL aircraft with the range and speed of a conventional aircraft, like no other system available in the market today,” BAE Systems Australia CEO Ben Hudson said at the unveiling.
STRIX is able to carry a payload of up to 160 kilograms over 800 kilometres, with flexibility and adaptability to different missions.
“STRIX can trade range for payload to suit a variety of mission requirements,” Kisa Christensen – Director of Red Ochre Autonomy & Sensors told delegates. “STRIX can lift a payload of more than 200 kilograms while achieving a range of around 500 kilometres, or payload can be traded for increased range.
“With two precision guided munitions, it can achieve a range of approximately 800 kilometres, or a loiter time of over five hours. In a recon-only configuration, we can almost double those figures.”
Folding wings will also allow transportation of the aircraft in a standard shipping container.
“While mission and payload flexibility is really important, deployability is equally critical,” Christensen said. “We have designed STRIX to be deployable using a standard 20ft ISO container, reducing the logistical burden and enabling airfield-independence.”
BAE Systems Australia told media that conversations had been had with the Australian Defence Force, however STRIX was not developed in response to tender.
“STRIX is backed by 100 per cent BAE Systems Australia investment,” Christensen said. “This internal funding model is what has allowed us to move really fast – much faster than a traditional procurement model.”
STRIX was conceptualised in July 2022. Work on a prototype is currently underway, with first test flight expected to occur in Q4 of this year. BAE Systems anticipates STRIX will be ready for operational service by 2026.
Also at the STRIX unveiling, BAE Systems revealed it will deliver a new low-cost precision guided munition (LCPGM), known as Razer, usable with STRIX.