Image: STRIX VTOL/BAE System
BAE Systems Australia's STRIX Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system (UAS) has flown for the first time in Western Australia. The flight, which took place in October, saw a fully-electric prototype takeoff and land vertically.
"This program milestone highlights the ingenuity and capability of world class Australian engineers and delivers on our proof of concept at rapid pace,” said the Managing Director of BAE Systems Australia’s Defence Delivery business unit, Andrew Gresham.
The production model of STRIX, which is being developed by BAE in partnership with Innovaero, will be powered by a hybrid-electric propulsion system that is under active development. That system is now BAE's focus for the program.
“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.”
The trials included a demonstration of BAE's Vehicle Management System (VMS) and its ability to control STRIX during launch, manoeuvre, sustained hover, and recovery.
Source: Australian Defense Magazine
Image: STRIX VTOL/BAE System