A news release from the Royal Air Force's annual air display, the Royal International Air Tattoo (RAIT), stated that defense contractor BAE Systems had unveiled designs for two new drone systems!
One of the designs includes an expendable "twin-tailed drone" that can fly at 0.5 Mach. The other design is a "bullet drone" with a cruise speed of 0.75 Mach.
It is worth noting that Mach represents the ratio of an object's velocity in a particular medium to the speed of sound in that medium. Hence, Mach 1 is equivalent to the speed of sound since one Mach is equal to 343 meters per second - the speed of sound at 68 degrees Fahrenheit with low humidity.
In short, these two drones will be built with almost a supersonic speed!
The 'Bullet Drone'
This drone will be modularly built and offers a cruise speed of 0.75 Mach at a maximum service altitude of 40,000 feet (12,192 meters). This bullet-like drone also has an internal payload capacity of 1,100 pounds (500 kg), and it can fly for up to five hours!
This concept offers the benefits of containerized storage, which also uses the runway for a more traditional launch and recovery method, according to Interesting Engineering's report.
This concept can be utilized for ISR operations and is also accessible in land and maritime formats. The drone can carry air-to-ground missiles of the Meteor class and Spear class bombs, rendering it useful in combat if necessary.
Together with the other designed drone, they can engage in electronic warfare by carrying payloads that may be used to disrupt radio transmissions. They are also outfitted with technology that allows them to operate alone or in hordes.
According to BAE, these systems have "goal-based autonomy," which enables drones to complete necessary actions required to accomplish mission objectives without additional human interference. This skill becomes crucial because BAE Systems is also working on the UK's sixth-generation air combat systems, as noted by Interesting Engineering.
The 'Twin-Tailed Drone'
This concept, which is the smaller of the two designs that have already been made public, has been labeled an "expendable drone" but can also be quickly recovered. The bullet-like fuselage of this twin-tailed drone and the air intake located on the upper rear part hint that a jet engine propels it.
The drone has a service altitude of 30,000 feet and a top speed of 0.5 Mach, according to the company's brochure. The drone can be launched from a rail-type catapult without a runway, and it can be retrieved using a parachute and retained in its containerized storage system after landing.
The drone can fly for up to four hours and carry a payload that weighs no more than 88 pounds (40 kg).
According to BAE Systems, the drone might come with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) sensors and be available in land or maritime versions.
It must be noted that BAE Systems has avoided giving these drones any distinct brand names following their initial public appearance and has instead stuck with the term "Concepts." Hence, we are only referring to these concepts based on how they appear.
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Written by Joaquin Victor Tacla
