BAE Systems Australia Set for First Test Flight of Its STRIX Unmanned Aerial System.

BAE Systems Australia (BAESA) is preparing to conduct the first test flight of its STRIX Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), scheduled for mid-October 2024. This innovative project promises to transform military aerial operations with its unique vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability, combined with impressive range and substantial payload capacity.

Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

BAE Systems Australia STRIX Unmanned Aerial System (Picture source: BAE Systems)

STRIX™ is a revolutionary UAS designed to deliver impactful battlefield projection through its runway independence, extended range typical of fixed-wing aircraft, and reliable autonomy. Developed by BAE Systems, STRIX™ incorporates disruptive technologies that ensure flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability in response to evolving threats.

With its VTOL capability, STRIX™ does not require a runway, allowing it to be quickly deployed, even in high-risk environments. Its compact footprint allows it to be transported in a standard 20-foot container, making it an easily deployable platform for various missions, whether they are long-range operations or autonomous strikes. It is capable of carrying a 160 kg payload over a distance of up to 800 km.

STRIX™ is designed for multi-role missions, such as electronic warfare (EW) operations, support for rotary-wing aircraft units, as well as autonomous strike, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, targeting, anti-submarine warfare (ASW/ASUW), and collaboration with manned platforms.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 950 kg, STRIX™ cruises at a speed of 140 knots, with a maximum speed of 200 knots. Its range varies based on the payload: with a 50 kg payload, it can cover a distance of 1510 km with an endurance of 5.25 hours, while with a 160 kg payload, it reaches 800 km with a 3-hour endurance. At full capacity with a 200 kg payload, its range is 540 km. STRIX™ can operate at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 15,000 feet, offering significant operational flexibility.

STRIX™ benefits from BAE Systems' expertise in autonomy, drawing from its work on vehicle management systems for platforms like the MQ-28A Ghost Bat, as well as the development of the optionally crewed M113 combat vehicle program. This experience allows STRIX™ to provide goal-based mission planning and a wide range of potential payloads, making it a versatile UAS capable of executing a full F2T2EA mission chain (Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, Assess).

In summary, STRIX™ promises to transform the capabilities of uncrewed aerial systems by offering enhanced autonomy and flexibility, while meeting the demands of modern missions in areas as diverse as strike, intelligence, surveillance, electronic warfare, and anti-submarine warfare, serving the full spectrum of military forces.