UK Launches Project Brakestop: A Jet-Powered Long-Range Attack Drone Initiative Modeled After Ukraine’s Palianytsia OWE UAV.

On September 30, 2024, the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence unveiled ambitious plans for the development of a new long-range missile drone strike weapon, named Project Brakestop. This project aims to produce at least 20 units per month, thereby enhancing the UK’s military capabilities in complex tactical environments.

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UK Project Brakestop Modeled After Ukraine’s Palianytsia Jet-Powered Long-Range Attack Drone
(Picture source: Ukraine MoD)

According to a Prior Information Notice published on September 25, 2024, the one-way attack system, designated as the One-Way Effector (OWE) Heavy, will be capable of targeting enemy infrastructure from over 500 kilometers away. Designed to operate in GNSS-denied environments and resistant to electromagnetic warfare, the OWE Heavy promises increased precision and robustness against modern threats. With the capacity to carry between 200 and 300 kilograms, comparable to the Mk 82 bomb, this system can reach speeds of approximately 600 km/h and operate over a range of up to 600 kilometers. It is also capable of following a ballistic trajectory or flying in low-level cruise mode while navigating with targeted end-stage guidance, even in GNSS-denied environments.

The concept behind Project Brakestop closely resembles Ukraine’s Palianytsia drone, an improvised wartime cruise missile. The project’s specifications indicate a clear orientation toward combat-driven requirements, necessitating the development of a cruise missile, ballistic missile, or drone capable of striking ground targets with formidable effectiveness. The Ministry of Defence also emphasizes the system’s resilience, which must withstand electronic warfare attacks and spoofing in complex electromagnetic environments, thereby ensuring its effectiveness in modern warfare scenarios where such measures are increasingly prevalent.

Flexibility and adaptability are key elements of this long-range attack drone within Project Brakestop. The ministry underscores the need for the system to be safely launchable from mobile platforms in high-threat zones. “The user requires a long-range (500 km) and cost-effective One Way Effector Heavy, capable of being safely launched from the ground from a mobile platform in a high-threat tactical environment,” the notice specifies. This approach allows for an adaptable response to the changing needs of the modern battlefield by offering the possibility to launch the system via a ballistic trajectory or low-level cruise, using a missile, drone, or another delivery technology.

Project Brakestop is also designed to be scalable in terms of production. The Ministry of Defence has set requirements for manufacturing to meet a minimum of 20 units per month, with the ability to increase this number based on future needs. This strategy focuses on rapid and efficient production, prioritizing operational availability over intricate design details to meet the growing need for swift deployment.

As part of the project’s development, the Ministry of Defence will hold an industry day on October 9, 2024, in London. This event will allow companies in the sector to present their technological solutions for various aspects of the project, such as propulsion systems, navigation, targeting, and launch systems. Project Brakestop follows an ambitious timeline, with a demonstration firing scheduled for the third quarter of 2025 and potential serial production starting in the fourth quarter of the same year. “There is an aggressive timeline with a demonstration firing in Q2 2025 and, subject to contract, potential serial production from Q3 2025, producing a minimum of around 20 platforms per month,” concluded the ministry.

As a reminder on August 24, 2024, Ukrainian forces launched a new hybrid missile-drone named Palianytsia against a Russian military base in Voronezh Oblast. This marked the first confirmed use of this new weapon system, which successfully targeted the base, causing a major fire and multiple secondary explosions. The attack is part of a broader strategy aimed at neutralizing Russian military assets deep within Russian territory, as Ukraine continues to develop indigenous capabilities in response to restrictions on the use of Western-supplied weapons.

The Palianytsia missile-drone, designed to strike Russian military airfields, represents a critical advancement for Ukraine's military efforts. The weapon is intended to neutralize platforms used to launch thousands of missiles and glide bombs at Ukraine since the start of the full-scale war. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the successful deployment of the Palianytsia during his Independence Day speech on August 24, stating, "Today, we witnessed the first successful combat use of our new weapon, the Palianytsia missile-drone. This is a completely new class of weapon—our own Ukrainian innovation."

A video released on August 25 provided an overview of the Palianytsia's development and capabilities. This long-range attack drone, powered by a turbojet engine, is equipped with a JetCat P400-PRO micro-turbojet, weighing 4 kg and generating 43 kg of thrust. Its structure is primarily fiberglass with wooden frames, and it features a large fuel tank to maximize range. The Palianytsia is also armed with a 20 kg blast-fragmentation warhead. The drone has an aerodynamic design similar to traditional cruise missiles, with a central body, forward-positioned wings, and a tail section equipped with four control surfaces.

The drone is designed for easy transport and storage, with detachable wings and tail, allowing for quick access to the engine and reducing space requirements during transport. The Palianytsia can strike long-distance targets, including two dozen Russian military airfields. The weapon was developed in a remarkably short time, just a year and a half. Additionally, the cost of the Palianytsia is reportedly lower than that of similar systems, making it a more sustainable option for Ukraine as the conflict continues.

In conclusion, the United Kingdom’s initiative with Project Brakestop clearly demonstrates the strategic learning derived from the conflict in Ukraine. By observing the effectiveness of systems like the Palianytsia drone, the British were able to identify crucial needs and innovation opportunities within their own defense industry. This experience has not only accelerated the development of advanced technologies capable of addressing modern threats but has also strengthened the collaboration between the Ministry of Defence and the private sector to rapidly adapt military capabilities to the realities of the contemporary battlefield.