Latest news with #NGCM
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BlueHalo's FE-1 Low-Cost Surface-To-Air Missile Fired For First Time
BlueHalo has, for the first time, launched its Freedom Eagle-1 (FE-1) missile, being developed for the U.S. Army's Next-Gen Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) program. The new missile, intended to be relatively cheap to procure and able to be built rapidly in volume, is part of a new multi-pronged Army effort to better meet the proliferating drone threat head-on. The successful live-fire demonstration of the FE-1 Controlled Test Vehicle (CTV) was only recently announced but took place from Jan. 16-18 this year, at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. It was conducted as part of the Next-Generation C-UAS Missile (NGCM) program, which aims to ramp up America's munitions industrial base to meet rapidly evolving aerial threats, specifically drones. 'In light of recent global events, including activities in Europe, the Red Sea, and Taiwan, we're taking a proactive stance — increasing internal investments to advance our FE-1 system and leaning in to meet the demand signal on an expedited timeline,' said Jonathan Moneymaker, BlueHalo chief executive officer. The successful live fire demonstration of our Next-Gen #CUAS Missile, Freedom Eagle-1, shows how #TeamBlueHalo is addressing the critical need to meet rapidly evolving advanced aerial threats. We went from paper design to first flight in 107 days and we're thrilled to get one… — BlueHalo (@BlueHalo) March 13, 2025 The CTV live-fire demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground involved three missile test flights. 'In each of the three tests, FE-1 launched successfully and performed its flight as planned, affirming BlueHalo's commitment to a rapid development schedule. The team collected video, system, and sensor data logs, radar tracks, and RF diagnostics data from each flight test to evaluate the missile's guidance, navigation, and control systems and analyze aerodynamic models to drive down the significant technical risks associated with the program,' the company said. The FE-1 launcher used for the Yuma tests was mounted on a flatbed trailer and was a simple cage-like construction, for a single missile, apparently intended only as a test rig. In the past, BlueHalo presented at least one concept for a four-round box-type launcher mounted on a pedestal atop a Stryker 8×8 wheeled armored fighting vehicle. This application, as well as a ship-based launcher (at around the 1:05 mark) are seen in the video below: In keeping with its ambition of getting production-ready missiles into operational service sooner rather than later, the development of the FE-1 to date has been rapid. In June of last year, BlueHalo announced that it had been selected as one of two vendors chosen to continue development of the NGCM by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (CCDC AvMC) Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC). Just two months later, the company announced the completion of multiple rounds of testing for the FE-1 low-cost effector, including the successful firing of its dual-thrust, solid-fuel rocket motor. As of last December, BlueHalo had completed warhead detonation testing, which provided data on penetration depths, velocities, impacts, and panel fragmentation patterns. Overall, it took BlueHalo 107 days to go from 'paper design to first flight,' the company says. The next step is planned to include a customer live-fire demonstration in the third quarter of this year. 'It's clear that the new administration wants middle-tier acquisition going faster and fielding technology quicker,' explained Moneymaker. 'Additionally, Congress is supportive of additional effectors to get longer range, at higher altitudes, against a threat that is evolving faster than we can keep pace with current systems. We're moving at the speed necessary to meet the need, even if it requires our own internal funding to make it happen.' The FE-1 is specifically designed to counter larger drones, in Group 3 and above. The U.S. military defines Group 3 drones as weighing between 55 and 1,320 pounds, being able to fly at altitudes between 3,500 and 18,000 feet, and having top speeds of between 100 and 250 knots. To defeat threats such as these, the FE-1 is intended to have improved maneuverability, range, and rapid launch capabilities compared with current systems. As well as drones, the FE-1 is intended to defeat various other 'larger air threats,' and to be integrated with existing infrastructure and command and control (C2) systems. NGCM is one of at least four U.S. Army counter-drone-related competitions that are now underway, and which also include efforts to field a handheld C-UAS system for soldiers in combat, as well as a counter-drone radar. As well as BlueHalo, Raytheon was selected as a vendor for NGCM development, for which it's preparing its Coyote. Yet more contenders could still emerge, however. 'There are other companies out there that are working on interceptors for a counter-UAS application that might actually also have growth of potential to intercept … large caliber rockets, as well as potentially cruise missiles,' Brig. Gen. Frank Lozano, the Army's program executive officer for missiles and space, said in August of last year. While Raytheon is well established in the field, BlueHalo is a relative upstart, but it is currently carving a niche as a specialist in innovative C-UAS solutions. These also include directed-energy weapons, like the company's LOCUST laser weapon system — which you can read more about here. Meanwhile, the BlueHalo SkyView system provides for autonomous detection and precision tracking of small drones, using radio-frequency (RF) technology. Titan, another RF-based C-UAS solution from the same company, can detect, track, and force drones to safely land without disrupting nearby communications or electronics. As we have discussed many times in the past, the threats posed by drones, including weaponized commercial types, are by no means new. Nevertheless, the conflict in Ukraine has prompted a much wider rethink of C-UAS capabilities and how best to combat the various tiers of drones that might be operated by adversaries now and in the future. In particular, the requirement to be able to defend critical fixed infrastructure has been repeatedly demonstrated, most prominently by relentless Russian attacks on Ukraine using Shahed/Geran series long-range one-way attack drones. At the same time, there is a clear need to protect tanks and other armored vehicles against drones, especially highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) kamikaze types. A new air defense missile from a U.S. manufacturer is far from an everyday occurrence, making the emergence of the FE-1 notable in itself. At the same time, it is indicative of growing Army efforts to dramatically expand its air defense and counter-drone capabilities and capacity. Time will tell whether the Freedom Eagle-1 will also be a part of that future ecosystem. Contact the author: thomas@
Associated Press
13-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BlueHalo Conducts Successful Test Launch of FE-1 Next-Gen C-UAS Missile
ARLINGTON, Va., March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- BlueHalo, the company transforming the future of global defense with actively deployed and operationally proven Counter-Uncrewed Aerial System (C-UAS) solutions, announced today the successful live fire demonstration of its Next-Generation C-UAS Missile (NGCM)–Freedom Eagle-1 (FE-1), addressing the critical need for munitions industrial base expansion to meet the rapidly evolving advanced aerial threats. 'In light of recent global events, including activities in Europe, the Red Sea and Taiwan, we're taking a proactive stance–increasing internal investments to advance our FE-1 system and leaning in to meet the demand signal on an expedited timeline,' said Jonathan Moneymaker, BlueHalo Chief Executive Officer. 'Our investments and development progress, including this successful CTV test launch, underscore BlueHalo's dedication to addressing evolving threats and ensuring that warfighters have access to critical capabilities sooner rather than later.' During the first Controlled Test Vehicle (CTV) live fire demonstration held in January at Yuma Proving Ground, Team BlueHalo conducted three missile test flights. In each of the three tests, FE-1 launched successfully and performed its flight as planned, affirming BlueHalo's commitment to a rapid development schedule. The team collected video, system and sensor data logs, radar tracks, and RF diagnostics data from each flight test to evaluate the missile's guidance, navigation, and control systems and analyze aerodynamic models to drive down significant technical risk associated with the program. 'Going three for three on the first ever launch during the development of a new kinetic missile program is an astounding engineering feat and a testament to our team's incredible dedication and expertise,' said James Batt, BlueHalo Chief Growth Officer. 'FE-1 is a superior solution to address critical gaps in our nation's C-UAS and air defense arsenal. We are thrilled to get it one step closer to the frontlines, where it will protect our warfighters and ensure mission success.' The recent demonstration is the latest in a string of FE-1 milestones, highlighting its rapid development timeline: Last June, BlueHalo announced its selection as one of two vendors chosen to continue development of the NGCM by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (CCDC AvMC) Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium® (AMTC). In August, the company announced the completion of multiple rounds of testing for the FE-1, including the successful firing of its dual-thrust, solid rocket motor. In December, BlueHalo successfully completed warhead detonation testing, which collected impact data against simulated targets. Test data included penetration depths, velocities, impacts, and panel frag patterns, which will be used to confirm FE-1's lethality predictions and support continued warhead development. 'While competitors in the NGCM program remain focused on conceptual presentations, BlueHalo is actively building and testing flight hardware,' said Batt. " Team BlueHalo went from paper design to first flight in 107 days, demonstrating incredible innovation and a commitment to the NGCM program. This success not only indicates our readiness but also significantly reduces the technical and schedule risks associated with the NGCM program.' BlueHalo' s continued investment and acceleration in the development of FE-1–with a planned customer live-fire demonstration in 3Q 2025–is in response to legislative affirmation to this capability is a priority of growing importance. In the recently passed FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). FE-1 is a critical response to the evolving UAS threat landscape. Supported by Congressional oversight, significant budgetary allocations, and the recognition of current system limitations, it addresses the need for enhanced range, lethality, and adaptability. This missile ensures a layered, cost-effective defense strategy, protecting national security interests against increasingly sophisticated drone threats. 'It's clear that the new administration wants middle-tier acquisition going faster and fielding technology quicker,' said Moneymaker. 'Additionally, Congress is supportive of additional effectors to get longer range, at higher altitudes, against a threat that is evolving faster than we can keep pace with current systems. We're moving at the speed necessary to meet the need, even if it requires our own internal funding to make it happen.' BlueHalo's FE-1 is designed to counter larger UAS (Group 3 and above) with enhanced maneuverability, range, and rapid launch capabilities. This addresses the limitations of current systems, which cannot effectively engage advanced, larger drones. It rapidly and affordably enhances warfighter lethality, survivability, and combat effectiveness, providing an agile and disruptive new technology to the munition industrial base and expanding national security air defense capabilities. About BlueHalo BlueHalo is purpose-built to provide industry-leading capabilities in the areas of Space, C-UAS and Autonomous Systems, Electronic Warfare & Cyber, and AI/ML. The company develops and brings to market next-generation capabilities to support customers' critical missions and national security. Learn more at and follow BlueHalo on LinkedIn.
