Latest news with #F-16s
The Advertiser
5 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
5 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.
India Gazette
12-07-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Relationship is complex, don't think any US tech going there soon": Warfare expert John Spencer on US-Pak ties
New Delhi [India], July 12 (ANI): Stating that America's relationship with Pakistan is complex, a leading security expert has said that he does not see the possibility of Islamabad getting US technology antime soon and that the United States administration has conveyed that it 'will not back those who back terrorism'. In an interview with ANI, welfare scholar and chair of Urban Warfare Studies at the Modern War Institute, John Spencer, said that India is not the same India of five years ago, and for him, studying the country from elements of economics, military, and politics is the same as studying the United States. Asked about Pakistan's wish list in the wake of its Army Chief Asim Munir and its Air Force chief visiting the United States, he said that there are conditions attached to the earlier supply of F-16s to Pakistan and there is unlikely to be further exports. 'I know that that relationship is complex. I don't think you'll see any US technology going there soon. And they'll have to be looking elsewhere. Although there's a history with the F-16, multiple Presidents have been involved, and there are limitations on how they can use it, among other things. I always say geopolitics is complex, but terrorism should not be. And the United States makes statements and, through action, especially this administration, that we will not back those who back terrorism,' he said. Spencer said the opportunities between the United States and India are much different from what they were a few years back. '....India is not the same India of five years ago. For me, studying India from every element of economics, military, and politics is the same as studying the United States. The threats to the world are different. I think one of the threats is just the geopolitical, global, international order. When you have things like the Russian-Ukrainian War, you have the uselessness of the United Nations, in my own words,' he said. 'These aspects make it a different paradigm from the Cold War, and the relationships and opportunities between the United States and India are much different from what they were. From a geo-connected or globally connected economy, the impact of India's data, artificial intelligence, and innovations on the world, and particularly the United States, is significant. And I think that there's more opportunity than there ever was during the Cold War, in my own opinion,' he added. He said it's hard to understand war without understanding geopolitics, international relations, political science, and even economic ties. Spencer, who is a scholar, author, combat veteran and security analyst, said India was demonstrating will to do what's necessary if Pakistan wanted to continue to escalate and a change in India's strategic doctrine will really change the entire region. 'As we talk in military terms, I've read lines and things, and clearly India demonstrated that with action. But the words matter, the cultural aspects, so it's understood. That's why it was important to talk to active military, former military, think tanks, media. I can absolutely clearly see a change in India's strategic doctrine that will really change the entire region in my opinion,' he said. India launched Operation Sindoor early on May 7 and hit terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK in response to Pahalgam terror attack. India repelled subsequent Pakistani military aggression and pounded its airbases. India and Pakistan agreed to cessation of hostilities after four-day conflict following call made by Pakistan DGMO to his Indian counterpart. Calling Operation Sindoor a 'unique strike,' Spencer said it showcased India's strategic independence and leadership. He said many countries, including the United States, wanted the escalation to stop. 'The (US) Vice President's comments, and again, understanding the American changes in foreign policy. As Operation Sindoor was escalated by Pakistan, of course, many countries, to include the United States, wanted to see that escalation stop because of how catastrophic it could be. But every strike, to include Noor Khan, Muridke, others, that India sent a message with each one of those... As a military guy, I can say that the spot was hit to send a message about capability, as much as it was for the actual evidence of destruction,' he said. Spencer, an internationally renowned expert on urban warfare, military strategy and other related topics, said India demonstrated a capability to hit whatever it wanted. 'Demonstrated that one, it can do it; two, it has the will to do it, but also it was restrained and even all the places they hit, the amount of destruction and precision guided munitions that they used was a sign, a signal, rather than a destructive act. Because people think that war is about destroying everything. War is a contest of will. India was demonstrating will to do what's necessary if Pakistan wanted to continue to escalate. And that's strategic independence and strategic, basically, leadership. The United States, of course, was concerned, I'm sure, again, about not wanting something to escalate beyond what it was.' (ANI)
Mint
10-07-2025
- Business
- Mint
Zelensky presses EU leaders to hand over frozen Russian asset funds for Ukraine's recovery: ‘Use them to save lives'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky kicked off the Ukraine Recovery Conference, and in a pointed message, pushed for a bold move to redirect frozen Russian assets toward Ukraine's recovery. 'Europe should clearly agree that frozen Russian assets should go towards Ukraine's recovery,' he said. 'Not only the income from these assets, but the assets themselves must be used — and much more actively than they are now — to help save lives.' The President opened his address by referencing yet another overnight assault on Kyiv, describing ongoing Russian drone attacks on civilian areas as a campaign of terror. 'Just last night, they launched another massive attack on Ukraine, mainly targeting our capital Kyiv,' Zelensky said. 'This is pure terrorism… This is exactly what Putin wants — for our people to suffer, to flee Ukraine, and for homes, schools, for life itself to be destroyed everywhere, not just near the frontlines.' Zelensky kicked off the Ukraine Recovery Conference with a direct appeal to international leaders, urging them to unite in a sweeping reconstruction initiative. 'We should develop it together,' Zelensky told participants, emphasising that rebuilding Ukraine is not simply a charitable act. 'It's also about your countries, your companies, technology, your jobs. The way we rebuild our country can also modernise your infrastructure and industries.' Addressing Russia's messaging around peace negotiations, Zelensky dismissed Moscow's statements as disinformation. 'Putin has rejected every peace proposal and is escalating the violence,' he stated. 'I urge all our partners: increase your investments when Russia increases its attacks.' Zelensky made clear that only nations aligned with Ukraine's cause would be included in its recovery efforts. 'Only friends are invited to be a part of Ukraine's economic and technological recovery,' he declared. 'Not those who are helping Russia continue this war.' Thanking international allies for their ongoing support, Zelensky hailed Ukraine's rapid military modernisation. 'We've done it in record time. No other country has switched from Soviet aircraft to F-16s and Mirages this quickly,' he said. He also called for increased support to bolster Ukraine's air defense systems. Zelensky also raised the humanitarian crisis of Ukrainian children abducted by Russian forces during the conflict. 'We must explore every possible way to bring our children back home to their families, to Ukraine, so they don't forget who they are.' The two-day Ukraine Recovery Conference comes as Ukraine enters the fourth year of full-scale war since Russia's 2022 invasion. The gathering aims to galvanize global support and long-term economic investment as Ukraine looks to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen security, and restore civilian life.
