BAE Systems Announces First Flight of STRIX
19 Dec 2024
All new VTOL Uncrewed Aerial System
BAE Systems Australia has announced the first flight of its all-new STRIX Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system, fully designed, built and tested locally.
Since its unveiling at the Avalon Australian International Airshow in 2023, STRIX has moved from concept to autonomous VTOL flight within two years, demonstrating BAE Systems Australia’s ability to quickly deliver disruptive sovereign research and development.
STRIX has been uniquely designed to perform a range of autonomous missions independent of a runway, including air-to-ground strike, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. This will remove human crews from arduous or dangerous conditions and free up skilled personnel to focus on where they are needed most.
It features composite aerostructures and a unique ‘tilt body’ configuration, developed through a collaboration between BAE Systems Australia and Perth-based SME, Innovaero.
Flight trials were undertaken at a remote site in late October following a successful ground testing program earlier in the year. The team demonstrated the Vehicle Management System’s (VMS) ability to control STRIX during launch, manoeuvre, sustained hover, and recovery.
All tests were conducted fully autonomously, with a remote pilot providing safety overwatch who was not required to intervene.
“This program milestone highlights the ingenuity and capability of world class Australian engineers and delivers on 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 all-new VTOL aircraft configuration never flown before in the history of flight.”
Source: AMDA Press Release