BAE Systems and QinetiQ have completed synthetic trials exploring how uncrewed aircraft could operate alongside Typhoon fighters to generate combat mass at lower cost, the firms announced.
The exercise, held at BAE’s Warton site in Lancashire and attended by Ministry of Defence representatives, linked simulated Typhoons with a swarm of QinetiQ Banshee drones, a Malloy T-150 heavy-lift UAS, and representative command, control and electronic surveillance systems. According to the companies, the aim was to validate connectivity, interoperability, human-machine interfaces and goal-based autonomy, using simulated data links including Link 16.
The work sits under Project HERA, a joint effort by BAE and QinetiQ to develop crewed-uncrewed teaming (CUC-T) concepts. The firms argue uncrewed systems can take on “dull, dirty and dangerous” roles under the direction of manned aircraft, reducing risk to aircrew while increasing operational flexibility and affordability.
Alan Hart, QinetiQ’s MD of Science & Technology, said in the release: “HERA has shown that interoperable autonomous systems can allow dissimilar UAS and crewed aircraft to deliver complex missions.” He also framed the project as helping build a “sovereign national drone enterprise.”
Anthony Gregory, Business Development Director at BAE Systems FalconWorks, added: “Together with QinetiQ we have demonstrated the enhanced operational effect of a crewed and uncrewed force mix.”
The September trials followed a 2023 agreement between the companies to explore UAS development, mission management systems and interoperability with crewed assets. Lessons are expected to inform work on Tier 2 Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) and wider multi-sector interoperability.
The firms say the ambition is to progress into live trials with a Link 16 datalink, though this will depend on further customer discussions.
I see the Irish Airforce turned up then. 👀
PROVO2?
Yup, good observation DP. 👌
I guess QuintiQ’s Jackdaw is just a non existent program like all other UK drones programs now.
It would have been ideal for this requirement but like everything else it was just a model for an airshow.
Well it’s still featured on their website 🤷🏻♂️
Well my first thought was, “Oh look, It’s the new Super Dooper Cutting edge, world class state of the art Stealth Loyal Wingman, but then I saw it was a Banshee Target Drone with roots going back to the 80’s.
Still, I guess It’s a start and a taste of things to come when Starmer and Reeves finally start to “Splash the Cash”.
With this the platform used does not really matter, but the overall connectivity.
However….the way HMG big up some of these model aeroplanes that somehow replace the mass long lost I can see your point with Banshee.
Morning, It’s the Photo that get’s me. You have a Typhoon with two small Banshees arranged in a way (Posing) that looks Impressive yet these are Target Drones and not the type of drone “We” are all expecting. Big words and posteuring is what we got. Is Banshee indeed what we are going to fly off the Carriers as mentioned a few weeks back ?
I agree.
To be fair, Qinetiq have done previous manned-unmanned trials before using the Banshee. I recall they did one in April, when a jet from Boscombe, controlled a Banshee launched from the range in the Hebrides. But I also thought they’d done some trials from HMS Prince of Wales using Wildcat and possibly an F35 (but might be wrong on the F35), controlling Banshees.
I think this is a good way of testing what the art of the possible is, using a very cheap but capable drone.
No you are correct, Banshee was launched from It’s tiny ramp off the Carrier in a trial.
Agree. The testing is needed, it is the platform that comes after it that both Halfwit and I are sceptical about.
What did the 1SL suggest? Jet powered Collaborative Platform?
Things like Kizilelma and Ghost Bat are already available in prototype to act as a jet-powered collaborative platform, so I don’t find the idea outlandish. Why the skepticism?
Why ?
For the reasons i wrote. It’s not what’s avaliable elswhere but what “we” are using here. Banshee is a 40 year old Target Drone Family, It’s no Ghost Bat and nothing like the perceived Drones often thought of on here.
These Concepts and Designs have been talked about for many years now yet we have nothing but Banshees.
“Synthetic trials” I thought the term ‘synthetic’ referred to the replication of a natural substance, by chemical means? Anyhow another good article George.
Anyhow… ‘pairing’ drones with crewed aircraft sounds cool, as to whether the drones could supplement a crewed aircraft’s capabilities, or appear as decoys to radar, it certainly is a fascinating subject.
Could that same ‘pairing process’ take place between drones and remotely piloted vehicles as well?