BAE Systems has launched a precision munition from a multi-rotor unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the first time, successfully destroying both air and ground targets during trials in the United States, the company announced on 17 July 2025.
During the trials, which took place at US Army Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, a TRV-150 multi-rotor UAV – a modified version of the BAE Systems/Malloy T-150 vehicle – was used to launch Advanced Precision Kill Weapon Systems (APKWSs). The tests marked the first UAV-launched air-to-air engagement using the APKWS guidance kit, which converts unguided 2.75-inch (70 mm) rockets like the Hydra 70 into guided munitions using advanced distributed aperture semi-active laser seeker (DASALS) optics.
BAE Systems stated that the trials “exceeded expectations in all aspects, including platform performance and target engagements, with zero misses”.
“The successful integration on display during the trials highlights the possibility of providing operators with a unique solution for engaging targets at greater range than ground-launched solutions, using a system that can easily be deployed to the front line,” BAE Systems stated.
“Uncrewed systems are an increasingly important part of our customers’ arsenals and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to show how UAS technology can further help them maintain an edge on the ever-evolving modern battlefield,” stated Anthony Gregory, business development director at BAE Systems’ FalconWorks. “These trials have significantly advanced our ability to deliver this new tactical option at a fraction of the cost of conventional means, showcasing that we continue to address the challenges of tomorrow through innovation and collaboration.”
“While originally designed as a tactical-edge logistics drone, adding strike packages to different variants of the TRV is a natural extension that leverages an already-fielded UAS as a multi-role offensive and defensive asset,” added SURVICE Engineering President Greg Thompson. “Providing medium UAS-delivered air and ground target strike capability will be a force-multiplying game changer and we are excited to play a role in bringing this new capability to our US and allied-nation warfighters.”
