Latest news with #BAE
Mint
6 days ago
- Business
- Mint
BAE Sees ‘Phenomenal Pace' on Next Fighter Jet as Rival Sputters
(Bloomberg) -- BAE Systems Plc said it is speeding ahead with the development of its next-generation Tempest fighter jet, as a rival European program is hamstrung by Franco-German squabbling. The British defense company this week unveiled the design of a demonstrator aircraft, and said that it has already begun manufacturing the main structure, wings and tail for that jet at its site in Lancashire. The milestone puts the test aircraft on track to fly within three years, with the final piloted supersonic plane — the first to be developed in the UK in 40 years — to be delivered by 2035, the firm said. 'The pace of this program is absolutely phenomenal,' Herman Claesen, managing director for Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems, told reporters on a video call on Tuesday. 'By following the timeline we are following at the moment, we will be one of first companies to be able to offer the sixth-generation capability into the export market.' The US, China and Russia are also developing sixth-generation aircraft, which are likely to include enhanced stealth, sensor and autonomous capabilities as well as the improved ability to coordinate with other aircraft and drones. London-based BAE is one part of the three-party Global Combat Air Programme, which also includes Italy's Leonardo SpA and Japanese partners. Engine maker Rolls-Royce Holdings Plc and missile company MBDA are helping with the development of the demonstrator in coordination with the UK's Ministry of Defence. BAE's optimistic tone and declarations of 'excellent progress' contrast starkly with the rival German-French-Spanish effort. The two main contractors, France's Dassault Aviation SA and Airbus SE, whose defense business is based outside Munich, are bickering over control of FCAS, also known by its French acronym SCAF, which has put the development of the planned successor aircraft to the Eurofighter at risk. The issue has escalated to the point that German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron will seek to quell the squabble at a meeting in Berlin this month. In 2023, Airbus predicted that FCAS will be operational by 2040. When asked about whether it makes sense for Europe to have two competing fighter jet programs, Claesen said GCAP's timelines were much faster at the moment than what they've seen at the Franco-German program, although he was not privy to any details at the rival endeavor. 'We're focused on our program, we're focused on our job, it is up to the governments to decide whether there is enough money in Europe and strategically whether it is important to have two programs or to have one program,' Claesen said. GCAP is being driven by the UK, Italy and Japan. A joint venture to lead the project — recently dubbed Edgewing — has BAE, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. each owning 33.3%. There has been speculation that other countries could join the project, especially Saudi Arabia, which is a key export market for the Eurofighter Typhoon jet. 'We can make anything happen, but the likelihood is diminishing all the time considering the pace we have on the program,' Claesen said of adding new partners, because doing so would have an impact on timing and costs. GCAP has defined five levels of involvement, ranging from the most basic of ordering the plane off the shelf to manufacturing the aircraft in their own country, he said. 'I am pleased to say there's a bit of a queue forming of various nations who want to talk to the three governments' to be involved with the program, Claesen said. --With assistance from Gerry Doyle. More stories like this are available on
The Advertiser
6 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Weaponised drone developed to counter unmanned threat
BAE Systems says it's developing a new weaponised drone, aiming to offer military customers a lower-cost option for countering unmanned aircraft that have come to dominate the battlefield in Ukraine. Britain's BAE launched its solution to the threat from kamikaze attack drones, which explode when they hit targets, by fitting its Malloy T-150 drone with APKWS laser-guidance kit that fires 70-mm rockets, and used the combination to shoot down another drone in trials. "We've had multiple inquiries from agencies in the US, from agencies in Europe, from the UK," said Anthony Gregory, business development director of BAE Systems' FalconWorks unit. Given the growing military interest as countries see what is happening in Ukraine, and also Iran's deployment of drones against Israel, BAE said it wanted to supply an alternative to Raytheon Technologies Patriot mobile surface-to-air system. "Those type of munitions are probably in four or five figure sums, whereas a Patriot missile, or things that you see being used on the news to do the same thing, are in six figure sums," Gregory said on Wednesday. The weapon system can be removed from the drone within an hour, enabling the drone to be repurposed to supply cargo or to perform reconnaissance. It is already used by the US Marines and Britain's Royal Navy to move equipment between ships at sea, replacing some helicopter lifts. BAE acquired England-based Malloy Aeronautics, a specialist heavy-lift drone company, last year. The trial of the drone with the APKWS kits produced by BAE's US business, and usually found on F-16s and Apache helicopters, took place last month in Utah, Gregory said. Given anticipated demand from Western militaries, BAE said it was aiming to start manufacturing the electric motors that power the drone in Britain, instead of buying them from China. "We're trying to what we would call onshore, or friend shore, all elements in the value chain of the supply chain," Gregory said. BAE Systems says it's developing a new weaponised drone, aiming to offer military customers a lower-cost option for countering unmanned aircraft that have come to dominate the battlefield in Ukraine. Britain's BAE launched its solution to the threat from kamikaze attack drones, which explode when they hit targets, by fitting its Malloy T-150 drone with APKWS laser-guidance kit that fires 70-mm rockets, and used the combination to shoot down another drone in trials. "We've had multiple inquiries from agencies in the US, from agencies in Europe, from the UK," said Anthony Gregory, business development director of BAE Systems' FalconWorks unit. Given the growing military interest as countries see what is happening in Ukraine, and also Iran's deployment of drones against Israel, BAE said it wanted to supply an alternative to Raytheon Technologies Patriot mobile surface-to-air system. "Those type of munitions are probably in four or five figure sums, whereas a Patriot missile, or things that you see being used on the news to do the same thing, are in six figure sums," Gregory said on Wednesday. The weapon system can be removed from the drone within an hour, enabling the drone to be repurposed to supply cargo or to perform reconnaissance. It is already used by the US Marines and Britain's Royal Navy to move equipment between ships at sea, replacing some helicopter lifts. BAE acquired England-based Malloy Aeronautics, a specialist heavy-lift drone company, last year. The trial of the drone with the APKWS kits produced by BAE's US business, and usually found on F-16s and Apache helicopters, took place last month in Utah, Gregory said. Given anticipated demand from Western militaries, BAE said it was aiming to start manufacturing the electric motors that power the drone in Britain, instead of buying them from China. "We're trying to what we would call onshore, or friend shore, all elements in the value chain of the supply chain," Gregory said. BAE Systems says it's developing a new weaponised drone, aiming to offer military customers a lower-cost option for countering unmanned aircraft that have come to dominate the battlefield in Ukraine. Britain's BAE launched its solution to the threat from kamikaze attack drones, which explode when they hit targets, by fitting its Malloy T-150 drone with APKWS laser-guidance kit that fires 70-mm rockets, and used the combination to shoot down another drone in trials. "We've had multiple inquiries from agencies in the US, from agencies in Europe, from the UK," said Anthony Gregory, business development director of BAE Systems' FalconWorks unit. Given the growing military interest as countries see what is happening in Ukraine, and also Iran's deployment of drones against Israel, BAE said it wanted to supply an alternative to Raytheon Technologies Patriot mobile surface-to-air system. "Those type of munitions are probably in four or five figure sums, whereas a Patriot missile, or things that you see being used on the news to do the same thing, are in six figure sums," Gregory said on Wednesday. The weapon system can be removed from the drone within an hour, enabling the drone to be repurposed to supply cargo or to perform reconnaissance. It is already used by the US Marines and Britain's Royal Navy to move equipment between ships at sea, replacing some helicopter lifts. BAE acquired England-based Malloy Aeronautics, a specialist heavy-lift drone company, last year. The trial of the drone with the APKWS kits produced by BAE's US business, and usually found on F-16s and Apache helicopters, took place last month in Utah, Gregory said. Given anticipated demand from Western militaries, BAE said it was aiming to start manufacturing the electric motors that power the drone in Britain, instead of buying them from China. "We're trying to what we would call onshore, or friend shore, all elements in the value chain of the supply chain," Gregory said. BAE Systems says it's developing a new weaponised drone, aiming to offer military customers a lower-cost option for countering unmanned aircraft that have come to dominate the battlefield in Ukraine. Britain's BAE launched its solution to the threat from kamikaze attack drones, which explode when they hit targets, by fitting its Malloy T-150 drone with APKWS laser-guidance kit that fires 70-mm rockets, and used the combination to shoot down another drone in trials. "We've had multiple inquiries from agencies in the US, from agencies in Europe, from the UK," said Anthony Gregory, business development director of BAE Systems' FalconWorks unit. Given the growing military interest as countries see what is happening in Ukraine, and also Iran's deployment of drones against Israel, BAE said it wanted to supply an alternative to Raytheon Technologies Patriot mobile surface-to-air system. "Those type of munitions are probably in four or five figure sums, whereas a Patriot missile, or things that you see being used on the news to do the same thing, are in six figure sums," Gregory said on Wednesday. The weapon system can be removed from the drone within an hour, enabling the drone to be repurposed to supply cargo or to perform reconnaissance. It is already used by the US Marines and Britain's Royal Navy to move equipment between ships at sea, replacing some helicopter lifts. BAE acquired England-based Malloy Aeronautics, a specialist heavy-lift drone company, last year. The trial of the drone with the APKWS kits produced by BAE's US business, and usually found on F-16s and Apache helicopters, took place last month in Utah, Gregory said. Given anticipated demand from Western militaries, BAE said it was aiming to start manufacturing the electric motors that power the drone in Britain, instead of buying them from China. "We're trying to what we would call onshore, or friend shore, all elements in the value chain of the supply chain," Gregory said.
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Weaponised drone developed to counter unmanned threat
BAE Systems says it's developing a new weaponised drone, aiming to offer military customers a lower-cost option for countering unmanned aircraft that have come to dominate the battlefield in Ukraine. Britain's BAE launched its solution to the threat from kamikaze attack drones, which explode when they hit targets, by fitting its Malloy T-150 drone with APKWS laser-guidance kit that fires 70-mm rockets, and used the combination to shoot down another drone in trials. "We've had multiple inquiries from agencies in the US, from agencies in Europe, from the UK," said Anthony Gregory, business development director of BAE Systems' FalconWorks unit. Given the growing military interest as countries see what is happening in Ukraine, and also Iran's deployment of drones against Israel, BAE said it wanted to supply an alternative to Raytheon Technologies Patriot mobile surface-to-air system. "Those type of munitions are probably in four or five figure sums, whereas a Patriot missile, or things that you see being used on the news to do the same thing, are in six figure sums," Gregory said on Wednesday. The weapon system can be removed from the drone within an hour, enabling the drone to be repurposed to supply cargo or to perform reconnaissance. It is already used by the US Marines and Britain's Royal Navy to move equipment between ships at sea, replacing some helicopter lifts. BAE acquired England-based Malloy Aeronautics, a specialist heavy-lift drone company, last year. The trial of the drone with the APKWS kits produced by BAE's US business, and usually found on F-16s and Apache helicopters, took place last month in Utah, Gregory said. Given anticipated demand from Western militaries, BAE said it was aiming to start manufacturing the electric motors that power the drone in Britain, instead of buying them from China. "We're trying to what we would call onshore, or friend shore, all elements in the value chain of the supply chain," Gregory said.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BAE Systems develops weaponised drone to counter unmanned threat
By Sarah Young WARTON, England (Reuters) -BAE Systems said on Wednesday it was developing a new weaponised drone, aiming to offer military customers a lower-cost option for countering unmanned aircraft that have come to dominate the battlefield in Ukraine. Britain's BAE launched its solution to the threat from kamikaze attack drones, which explode when they hit targets, by fitting its Malloy T-150 drone with APKWS laser-guidance kit that fires 70-millimeter rockets, and used the combination to shoot down another drone in trials. "We've had multiple inquiries from agencies in the U.S., from agencies in Europe, from the UK," said Anthony Gregory, business development director of BAE Systems' FalconWorks unit. Given the growing military interest as countries see what is happening in Ukraine, and also Iran's deployment of drones against Israel, BAE said it wanted to supply an alternative to Raytheon Technologies Patriot mobile surface-to-air system. "Those type of munitions are probably in four or five figure sums, whereas a Patriot missile, or things that you see being used on the news to do the same thing, are in six figure sums," Gregory said. The weapon system can be removed from the drone within an hour, enabling the drone to be repurposed to supply cargo or to perform reconnaissance. It is already used by the U.S. Marines and Britain's Royal Navy to move equipment between ships at sea, replacing some helicopter lifts. BAE acquired England-based Malloy Aeronautics, a specialist heavy-lift drone company, last year. The trial of the drone with the APKWS kits produced by BAE's U.S. business, and usually found on F-16s and Apache helicopters, took place last month in Utah, Gregory said. Given anticipated demand from Western militaries, BAE said it was aiming to start manufacturing the electric motors that power the drone in Britain, instead of buying them from China. "We're trying to what we would call onshore, or friend shore, all elements in the value chain of the supply chain," Gregory said.
Japan Today
6 days ago
- Business
- Japan Today
Chances of partner joining UK-Italian-Japanese fighter jet project diminishing, BAE executive says
A member of staff stands next to a concept model of the new GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme) 6th generation military jet at the BAE Systems Warton factory in Warton, Britain, July 15, 2025. REUTERS/Phil Noble The likelihood of a new country joining the British, Italian and Japanese project to develop a fighter jet is diminishing, said a BAE Systems executive, amid long-held speculation Saudi Arabia could become a fourth partner. "To be part of the core program today in the same way as Japan, Italy and the UK, because of the pace we've achieved, and where we are today becomes quite challenging now," Herman Claesen, managing director of BAE's Future Combat Air System business told reporters on Tuesday. "The likelihood is diminishing all the time." The British-Italian-Japanese project, called Global Combat Air Program, was announced in 2022 before a joint venture was formally launched in June 2025, with the aim of producing a next-generation stealth aircraft by 2035. Claesen said it was possible for a new partner to join, but it would be a decision for the three governments, and they would need to consider the potential delays that could come from any change to their existing agreement. The advantage of a new partner would be to expand the market for the aircraft, but Claesen said he was confident there would be sufficient demand. "There is, I guess, a bit of a queue forming of various nations who want to talk to the three governments," he said. A rival Franco-German project to build a new fighter jet has made slower progress, plagued by delays and infighting over workshare and intellectual property rights. GCAP is being led by BAE in Britain, Leonardo in Italy and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Japan. Known as Tempest in Britain, a concept model of the aircraft was on display in Warton. BAE said it would be three to four meters longer than the Typhoon military jet and designed to fly a longer range. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
