Two Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) JACKAL drones developed by Flyby Technology successfully launched the Thales Light Multipurpose Missile (LMM) in a test sponsored by the Royal High Speed Capabilities Office (RCO), making unmanned aerial combat unmanned aerial combat. The times have moved forward. Air Force.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) have become standard equipment for many nations’ air wings since it was realized that reconnaissance drones can be armed with bombs and missiles. However, simply bolting a weapon to a wing or sticking a warhead into a suicide drone is far from being a true air fighter.
Working with Turkish partners FlyBVLOS Technology and Maxwell Innovations, UK-based Flyby Technology is developing the JACKAL UCAV for countries that cannot afford to deploy field attack helicopters or light fighters. Its vertical take-off and landing capabilities enable battlefield air interdiction, close air support, anti-helicopter, and anti-armor missions without the need for vulnerable runways or roads.
In recent tests, JACKAL was armed with a modular Thales LMM, known as the Royal Navy Martlet, designed for naval, air-to-ground, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air engagements. In addition to launching two advanced missiles, the test saw him build two of her JACKAL drones in six weeks, a plug-and-play design intended to avoid short-term obsolescence. Proven.
“Given the surprisingly short timescale it took for the team to deliver the first trial, it is clear that Flyby has an exciting future in this space and the partnership and support from Thales is an exciting new start. Air Commodore Jez Holmes, head of RCO, said: “We look forward to seeing the ongoing progress in this area. .”
Source: Thales
