A heavy-lift UAS demonstrated the capabilities to launch a torpedo during a large NATO exercise in Portugal.

The official website of BAE Systems announced this.

The T-600 heavy-lift unmanned air system armed with an inert Sting Ray anti-submarine torpedo carried out a series of tests during NATO’s REPMUS maritime exercise to integrate the very latest maritime technologies across allied forces.

The T-600 is an electric-powered demonstrator aircraft for testing new technologies and integrating various types of weapons.

The T-600 can carry a payload of 200 kg and can travel at up to 140 km/h. It also has a range of up to 80 km, depending on the payload.

“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 participated 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,” Neil Appleton, Head of Sustainable Electric Products, BAE Systems Air, noted.

In addition to the torpedo armament, the drone can be equipped with other types of weapons at the request of the customer, within the limits of its flight characteristics.

In addition, a larger and more powerful T-650 drone has been developed on the basis of the standard version. The T-650 will provide significant capabilities in the areas of automated logistics and resupply, casualty evacuation, and anti-submarine warfare.

The T-650 program sits within FalconWorks, designed to deliver a range of cutting-edge combat air capabilities to the UK and its allies.

BAE Systems is currently developing a whole line of unmanned systems, as they are becoming more popular in the world due to their low-cost components, ease of production, and the ability to install various weapons.

This approach is of interest to countries with small military budgets seeking to obtain modern weapons systems for their armed forces.

Militarnyi previously reported that the Taiwanese Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Flyby Technology to purchase Jackal drones.

According to the agreement, the company will provide the Taiwanese Armed Forces with 160 Jackal drones, which can be used for both reconnaissance and destruction of ground and air targets.

The contract was signed in Taipei, Taiwan, where the company’s representatives visited to improve defense relations with this country.