BAE Systems Australia has completed the critical design review of the Strix vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
According to the company, the CDR resulted in changes to key elements of the aircraft. The platform will be different compared to the models exhibited at the recent Avalon International Airshow and DSEI London.
The multi-domain, multi-role Strix long-range drone is designed to be collapsible for easy transportation inside a standard shipping container.
During the aircraft’s unveiling at the Avalon Airshow in February, BAE Systems Australia CEO Ben Hudson said simplicity of deployment was a key requirement for the program.
“It takes about a minute to fold the wings, and then you push it straight in a container and, without the weapons on board, it’s about 650 kilograms, and then you’re on the back of a truck and you’re off to the next location,” he said.
Strix can carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions or function as a weapons platform when needed.
BAE expects to build an operational system for the aircraft in 2026. Testing of the aircraft’s propulsion, propeller, motor, battery configuration and autonomy is underway at BAE’s facilities in Australia.