In a significant advancement for battlefield technology, BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated a new, low-cost strike capability by launching precision munitions from a multi-rotor drone. Recent trials in the United States saw a modified uncrewed air system (UAS) destroy both aerial and ground targets, marking a major step in providing frontline troops with an affordable counter-drone and strike option.
The tests, conducted at the US Army Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, utilized a TRV-150 UAS—a variant of the Malloy T-150 adapted for the US Marine Corps. For the first time, this platform fired rockets equipped with BAE Systems’ proven APKWS® laser-guidance kit, successfully engaging targets with pinpoint accuracy. This event also represented the first-ever air-to-air engagement using an APKWS kit from a UAS, expanding its legacy from manned aircraft like the F-16 and Apache helicopter.
“This successful trial significantly advances our ability to deliver a new tactical option at a fraction of the cost of conventional means,” said Anthony Gregory, Business Development Director for BAE Systems’ FalconWorks®. He emphasized that the collaboration showcases how the company is addressing future battlefield challenges through innovation.
The integration, supported by engineering expertise from the UK, transforms unguided rockets into precision munitions, creating a highly effective, multi-role solution. The trials reportedly exceeded all expectations, with the system achieving zero misses against its targets.
Industry partners highlighted the strategic impact. Greg Thompson, President of SURVICE Engineering, noted that adding strike capabilities to a logistics drone creates a “force-multiplying game changer,” turning an already-fielded UAS into a multi-role offensive and defensive asset.
This new capability offers a unique advantage by allowing operators to engage threats at greater ranges than ground-based systems, using a platform that is easily deployable to the front lines. The cross-Atlantic team behind the project will now build on this success to further refine the system, including integrating more autonomous technology, to prepare it for battlefield deployment.
