BAE Systems this week showed off something they termed akin to a game changer regarding armed drones in naval use. Their Malloy T-600 (which ironically is the same designation as a Terminator model ) heavy lift uncrewed air system, during a large NATO REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Uncrewed Systems) exercise in Portugal, successfully released an inert Sting Ray training variant anti-submarine torpedo during a flight mission at sea for the first time.
A quadcopter with an ASW torpedo.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
The T-600 is an electric-powered demonstrator aircraft capable of vertical take-off and landing, can carry a payload of at least 450 pounds, and can travel at up to 43 knots. It also has a range of up to 40 nm depending on payload. It is around the size of a small car and is designed to be easily disassembled for transportation.
Clik here to view.
The Sting Ray is a British acoustic homing lightweight torpedo (LWT) developed by GEC-Marconi and now produced by BAE Systems. With a 550-pound all-up weight, it only has a 99-pound warhead but is the rough equivalent of the U.S. Mk. 54.
Said Neil Appleton, Head of Sustainable Electric Products, BAE Systems Air:
“In just two years since we launched our collaboration with Malloy, we’ve developed a heavy lift UAS and working with the UK Royal Navy and Portuguese Navy, have taken part in the latest NATO REPMUS exercise. The demonstration showcased the capability of our T-600 technology demonstrator, carrying an inert Sting Ray torpedo in front of the world’s premier naval forces. It’s a fantastic achievement in our collaboration with Malloy and a sign of our joint ambitions to bring new capabilities to our customers.”
Of course, any fan of naval history will look at this and recall the old Gyrodyne QH-50 DASH (Drone Anti-Submarine Helicopter) drone of the 1960s-70s that could carry two small Mk.44 torpedoes, a larger Mk. 46, or a friggen nuclear depth bomb (!) out to a theoretical range of 22 nm with a speed of up to 80 knots.
Clik here to view.
The drones were unsuccessful and the Navy pulled them by the early 1970s.
Clik here to view.
QH-50 over Hazelwood, 1960, NARA 80-KN 1814
Looks like DASH had better performance in terms of speed and lift, although indeed the main problem with that drone– connectivity and near-real-time-control– has gotten a lot better over the years. Plus, the T-600 seems a bit smaller and there are a lot more drone operators around today than in 1962.