Trial to control drone from crewed aircraft hailed ‘significant advance’

A crewed aircraft has controlled an autonomous jet drone off the Outer Hebrides in a UK first.

Defence contractor QinetiQ trialled a demonstration, which it called “a significant advance” to develop technologies that will let uncrewed systems operate seamlessly with current aircraft, “providing the basis for air operations for the next 20 years”.

Minister for Defence Procurement James Cartlidge said it was “an important step forward in our ability to seize the opportunities inherent across drones”.

The trial saw a QinetiQ jet aircraft take off from Ministry of Defence (MoD) site Boscombe Down in Salisbury, while a modified Banshee Jet 80 drone was launched from the MoD Hebrides range in the Uists.

Flying from Boscombe to the Hebrides, the aircraft soon gained control of the Banshee, with the drone receiving its orders from the aircraft before automatically conducting the mission, flying at 350 knots.

The mission was completed not only by the live Banshee but numerous digital Banshees within a livevirtual swarm, acting in a co-ordinated manner.

Alan Hart, managing director science and technology, QinetiQ said: “This transformative trial is a great example of collaboration and technology leadership in aviation defence capability, as we seek to meet the ever-changing requirements of those on the front line.”

Mr Cartlidge said: “The ability to team crewed and uncrewed systems is an important step forward in our ability to seize the opportunities inherent across drones.

“Using British engineering expertise, this successful trial is another excellent example of what happens when the MoD and industry experiment and test hand-in-hand – a core approach in our UK defence drone strategy and integrated procurement model.”

The test follows a highpower laser fired from the Hebrides range that made history earlier this year.

The Dragonfire, a laser directed energy weapon (LDEW), achieved the first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets in the whole of the UK.

A core approach in our UK defence drone strategy