Page 3 - AVALON 2023 - Day 2 | DAILY NEWS

© Gordon Arthur

BAE SYSTEMS UNVEILS MENACING STRIX

The hottest news on opening day at Avalon capability and getting platforms such as range and speed of a regular fixed-wing
Airshow 2023 was BAE Systems Australia’s Strix into the hands of a customer as soon aircraft.
dramatic unveiling of its Strix unmanned as it’s ready to deploy.’
combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). Remarkably, The Strix can operate as an ISR platform,
this unmanned aircraft was just a figment The VTOL Strix is being developed wholly in or it can carry weapons such as Brimstone,
of the company’s imagination in July 2022, Australia, with input from the ADF. Indeed, APKWS, JAGM-ER, Hellfire or even BAE
when the concept was first raised. BAE Systems considers the Australian Systems’ new Razer low-cost preci-
Army and Royal Australian Navy as poten- sion-guided munition.
A first prototype of the Strix is now currently tially the first customers. However, exports
under construction, and this electrically are very much part of BAE Systems’ ambi- The latter has been developed in Australia.
powered aircraft will take to the air in Q4 tions for this UAV. Razer adds a bolt-on kit to a large-calibre
of this year. The next prototype will change ammunition shell. It too is a product of Red
to hybrid propulsion. The company’s rapid prototyping partner is Ochre, and it is aimed to fit between inex-
Innovaero Technologies based in Western pensive, short-range, ground-fired weapons
By any stretch of the imagination, that is Australia. Indeed, this is where prototypes and high-cost, long-range air-launched mis-
very fast work. BAE Systems said this was are being built and where they will be tested. siles. By launching it from the air, its range
due to it leveraging past experience with is naturally enhanced since it glides. The
unmanned technology, and the fact that it The Strix meets a requirement for a UCAV Razer is suitable for fighters, UCAVs and
has invested its own money in the project. able to strike deep behind enemy lines. Just helicopters. Prototype flight testing of the
Razer is to occur in the next twelve months.
BAE Systems Australia has worked on the as the Bayraktar TB2 has forged for itself a
MQ-28A Ghost Bat, for example, as well reputation in asymmetric warfare, the Strix If 160kg of weapons is carried, the Strix
as optionally manned M113 armoured adds the ability to take off and land from possesses an 800km range. If a greater
vehicles. limited spaces on either land or on ships, payload of 250kg is carried, it can still fly
giving it a self-deployment capacity. 500km. Or in purely ISR configuration, it
Kisa Christensen, BAE Systems Australia’s could reach 1,600km. Other sensors that
Director of Red Ochre Autonomy and BAE Systems said this combination is could be carried are electro-optic and
Sensors, said, ‘Our teams in essence unique on the market today. It will be mul- targeting sensors, laser designators, elec-
have created a platform that has three tirole and multi-domain, and suitable for tronic support measures, airborne mine
dimensions. It is disruptive, adaptable and tasks as diverse as anti-submarine warfare, countermeasure systems or sonobuoy
deployable. Every step of the development armed escort for manned helicopters, ISR, dispensers.
process has been about finding the best border surveillance, electronic warfare or
solution for our customers. And we are precision strikes. When folded down and partially disas-
really focused on creating a compelling sembled, the Strix is designed to fit inside
asset for the land and maritime domains, The Strix, named after a genus of owl, looks a 20-foot container, so this makes it ideal
both here and abroad.’ rather ungainly on the ground, but in the air for deployment on a ship. Its maximum
when in level flight it can reach maximum take-off weight is 900kg, and its collapsed
Christensen added, ‘The intent of this prod- speeds of 200kt (its cruise speed is 140kt) footprint is 2.6m x 2.2m x 4.5m.
uct is to be responsive to customer needs, and can carry a significant payload. The
and the emerging threat environment. tiltable body and X configuration combines BAE Systems wants to have the novel Strix
For us, this means striving for speed to VTOL and fixed-wing flight to achieve the UAV operationally ready by 2025-26.

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