A drone called the T-600 -the same name as the Terminator – successfully launched a torpedo from the sky.
BAE Systems demonstrated the feat during a NATO training exercise, which saw a human controller fly the quadcopter strapped with the torpedo from a dock and over the ocean, where it let the weapon drop.
The electric-powered, car-sized T-600 has a payload capacity of 441 pounds, tops speeds of 87 miles per hour and has a range of up to 50 miles.
The demonstration aimed to showcase the anti-submarine warfare capabilities of the T-600 and its potential for automated logistics, resupply, casualty and evacuation.
A drone called the T-600 – the same name as the Terminator – successfully launched a torpedo from the sky
The T-600 is the AI-powered machine that takes over the world in the iconic Terminator series and features a combat endoskeleton made of titanium alloy, sometimes covered in synthetic latex
The T-600 is the AI-powered machine that takes over the world in the iconic Terminator series and features a combat endoskeleton made of titanium alloy, sometimes covered in synthetic latex.
While the drone shares the name of the fictitious killing machine, the T-600 reflects that it is part of the ‘T’ series of quadcopters produced by Malloy Aeronautics and is a test bed designed to carry up to 600 pounds.
The demonstration, conducted by BAE Systems and Malloy Aeronautics, was held in Portugal last month.
It saw the T-600 successfully release an inert Sting Ray training variant anti-submarine torpedo during a flight mission at sea for the first time.
The exercise known as REPMUS (Robotic Experimentation and Prototyping with Maritime Uncrewed Systems) involved 15 NATO partners, along with Ireland and Sweden.
Neil Appleton, Head of Sustainable Electric Products, BAE Systems Air, said: ‘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 electric-powered, car-sized T-600 has a payload capacity of 441 pounds, tops speeds of 87 miles per hour and has a range of up to 50 miles
BAE Systems demonstrated the feat during a NATO training exercise, which saw a human controller fly the quadcopter strapped with the torpedo from a dock and over the ocean, where it let the weapon drop
‘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.’
BAE Systems plans to use the T-600 as the foundation for the T-650, a heavy-lift UAS that is entirely electric and can be quickly reconfigured for military, commercial, and humanitarian customers.
The T-650 will provide significant capabilities in automated logistics and resupply, casualty evacuation and anti-submarine warfare while reducing the environmental impact of our armed forces.
