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BAE Systems Australia Achieves First Flight of STRIX Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.
BAE Systems Australia has successfully flown the STRIX, an all-new Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system. This innovative vehicle, fully designed, built, and tested in Australia, represents a key milestone in the field of autonomous flight and will enhance autonomous mission capabilities.
The STRIX was specifically designed to perform a range of autonomous missions. (Picture source: BAE Systems)
The STRIX was specifically designed to perform a range of autonomous missions, from air-to-ground strikes to intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), without the need for a runway. This removes the need to deploy human crews in dangerous or challenging environments while allowing skilled personnel to focus on other essential tasks.
The project adopted a spiral development model, enabling rapid iterations. A full-scale, fully electric prototype was developed to accelerate flight testing and minimize program risks. The initial flight trials took place at a remote site in late October, following a successful ground testing program earlier in the year. During these trials, the team demonstrated the capability of the Vehicle Management System (VMS) to control the STRIX autonomously during launch, maneuver, hover, and recovery. Notably, all tests were conducted autonomously, with a remote pilot overseeing safety but not requiring intervention.
“This program milestone highlights the ingenuity and capabilities of world-class Australian engineers and delivers our proof of concept at rapid pace,” said Andrew Gresham, Managing Director of BAE Systems Australia’s Defence Delivery business unit. “Major flight test objectives were achieved, including safe and autonomous control of an entirely new VTOL aircraft configuration, never flown before in the history of flight.”
The STRIX prototype features composite aerostructures and a unique "tilt-body" configuration, developed through a collaboration between BAE Systems Australia and the Perth-based SME, Innovaero. Since its unveiling at the Avalon Airshow in 2023, STRIX has moved from concept to autonomous VTOL flight in just two years, demonstrating BAE Systems Australia’s ability to rapidly deliver disruptive sovereign research and development.
The STRIX is an advanced uncrewed aerial system that combines Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) and fixed-wing capabilities, making it highly versatile for a range of missions. It is powered by a hybrid electric propulsion system, optimizing both performance and efficiency. The vehicle has a compact footprint, measuring 2.6 meters in height, 6 meters in width, and 5 meters in length, but can be stored within a 20-foot ISO container, making it easy to transport and deploy in diverse environments. With a maximum take-off weight of approximately 960 kg, STRIX can achieve cruise speeds of up to 140 knots, with a maximum speed exceeding 200 knots. Its range is impressive, varying depending on the payload: it can cover 1,500 km with a 50 kg payload, 800 km with a 160 kg payload, or 500 km with a 200 kg payload. The STRIX is designed to carry a wide array of payloads, including precision-guided munitions such as APKWS, Hellfire, Brimstone, and JAGM-MR, along with loitering munitions, laser-guided rockets, and a range of sensor systems like EO/IR, LTD, SAR, VIDAR, and electronic warfare equipment. These capabilities position STRIX as a versatile and powerful tool for autonomous military and reconnaissance operations.
STRIX draws on proven technologies from BAE Systems' previous autonomous systems, as well as ongoing work with the Australian Army’s M113 OCCV Program and the MQ-28 Ghost Bat for the Royal Australian Air Force. The program's focus now shifts from airframe testing to the development of the hybrid-electric propulsion system, which has been developed in parallel with the prototype.
Looking ahead, STRIX will be marketed to both international and local customers, and BAE Systems Australia will continue to refine the aircraft in collaboration with local industry and partners, depending on the specific needs of each stakeholder.
With its successful flight testing, BAE Systems marks the beginning of a new era for the STRIX, offering the potential to redefine mission capabilities for defense forces.