Setting itself apart from the recent drone buzz in New Jersey, Australia’s STRIX drone has taken flight, achieving its first autonomous test this October.

Premiering at the 2023 Avalon Airshow in Australia, the STRIX VTOL aircraft has made its leap from concept to reality. Designed to operate without a runway, STRIX multi-role UAS takes mission capabilities to the next level while keeping human crews away from risky situations.

Following a robust ground testing phase, flight trials showcased the effectiveness of the Vehicle Management System (VMS) in handling various flight operations. Developed through a strategic partnership and leveraging a spiral development model, STRIX represents a significant advancement for Australia in autonomous aerial technology.

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STRIX is a hybrid, tandem-wing autonomous drone
STRIX flies into the scene as a multi-role UAS engineered for superior versatility in various operations. This hybrid, tandem-wing aircraft is adept at performing multiple tasks, including persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and air-to-ground strikes against hostile targets. Its design allows it to function as a 'faithful wingman' to military helicopters, enhancing mission capabilities without necessitating a runway.
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Runway-free deployment with VTOL capability
As seen in STRIX's first flight milestone, it can make deployment easy with its Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) feature, allowing operation in environments lacking conventional takeoff infrastructure. The drone can also be operated from helicopters, broadening its mission scope and ensuring pilot safety in high-risk situations.
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Achieving major flight test objectives with STRIX
Andrew Gresham, Managing Director of BAE Systems Australia’s Defence Delivery business unit, highlights the significance of this achievement: "Major flight test objectives were achieved, including safe and autonomous control of an all-new VTOL aircraft configuration never flown before in the history of flight."
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Long-range missions with compact design
STRIX also boasts an exceptional operational range and payload capacity. Expected to travel up to 497 miles (800 km) while carrying as much as 1,345 pounds (160 kg), STRIX can operate under hazardous conditions effortlessly. Its compact design, measuring just 8.5 feet (2.6 m) by 14.7 feet (4.5 m), allows easy transportation in standard shipping containers, enhancing its deployability across diverse mission profiles.
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Crafting the STRIX with BAE and Innovaero’s expertise
The development of STRIX is the result of a powerful collaboration between BAE Systems and Innovaero. This collaboration blended BAE Systems' extensive expertise in autonomous platforms and vehicle management systems (VMS) and Innovaero’s capabilities in designing and producing aerospace products for Australia.
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Drawing from a legacy of autonomous innovations
STRIX incorporates advanced technologies proven in previous BAE Systems projects and current collaborations, such as the Australian Army's M113 OCCV Program and the MQ-28 Ghost Bat for the Royal Australian Air Force.
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Showcasing Australian engineering excellence in aerospace
Highlighting the fact that the Strix made its way from drawing boards to the skies in such a short time, Andrew Gresham noted that “This program milestone highlights the ingenuity and capability of world-class Australian engineers and delivers on our proof of concept at a rapid pace,”
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Advancing to Next-Gen hybrid-electric propulsion
The focus of the STRIX program is shifting from airframe testing to optimizing its hybrid-electric propulsion system, which has been concurrently developed with the airframe. As STRIX progresses, BAE Systems Australia is actively marketing it to both international and local clients. It is committed to continuous enhancement in collaboration with industry partners to cater to all kinds of operational requirements.