QinetiQ has supported the UK MoD and BAE in integrating laser-guided counter-drone missiles onto Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.
QinetiQ has supported the UK Ministry of Defence and BAE Systems in integrating laser-guided counter-drone missiles onto Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft deployed in the Middle East.
The weapon involved is the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a laser-guided missile adapted from the widely used 70mm Hydra rocket.
The system has increasingly been adopted by Western militaries as a lower-cost option for engaging drones and lightly armored targets, particularly as armed forces seek more economical ways to counter large numbers of uncrewed aerial systems.
Integration and testing took place earlier this year at the Ministry of Defence's Aberporth range in west Wales, operated by QinetiQ under the UK's Long Term Partnering Agreement.
QinetiQ supported the engineering integration of the missile with the Typhoon ahead of live-fire trials, established safety zones, and supplied aerial target drones for pilot training exercises.
Demand for Lower-Cost Interceptors
The trials made use of QinetiQ's Banshee Whirlwind target drone, an uncrewed aerial vehicle designed to simulate airborne threats during military training.
Manufactured in Ashford, Kent, the drone has a reported top speed of around 370 kilometers (230 miles) per hour, is manufactured in Ashford, Kent, and is used by more than 30 countries.
The integration effort comes as Western air forces face mounting pressure to counter relatively inexpensive drones without relying on costly air-to-air missiles.
Conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere have highlighted the growing use of one-way attack drones and loitering munitions against military installations and commercial shipping.
The APKWS has previously been integrated onto a range of US and allied aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing platforms.
Its integration on the Typhoon gives the Royal Air Force an additional, lower-cost option for engaging drones compared to conventional beyond-visual-range missiles.
"From engineering expertise to live trials, our teams are providing the fundamental support needed by our armed forces to deliver the urgent capabilities that ensure the UK and its allies remain safe and warfighting ready," said Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive Officer of QinetiQ.
The firm added that the work was carried out under the Engineering Delivery Partnership, a long-term contract through which QinetiQ provides engineering and support services for the RAF's Typhoon fleet.
