British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) Systems Unveils Weaponized Malloy Drone to Counter Aerial Threats

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British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) Systems has introduced a weaponized version of its Malloy T‑150 drone, marking a significant step in countering the growing threat from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on modern battlefields. The new system combines air-to-air capability with cargo flexibility, offering governments a more cost-effective alternative to expensive missile platforms.

The Malloy T‑150 drone, originally designed for heavy-lift transport, is now equipped with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a laser-guided rocket kit. The 70-millimeter rockets enable the drone to intercept and neutralize hostile UAVs, including so-called “kamikaze” suicide drones used extensively in conflicts like those in Ukraine and the Middle East. Trials in Utah successfully demonstrated the drone’s ability to track and destroy a target UAV.

Anthony Gregory, business development director at BAE’s FalconWorks unit, noted strong international interest. “We’ve had multiple inquiries from agencies in the United States (U.S.), Europe, and the United Kingdom (UK),” he said. The program is explicitly positioned as a lower-cost alternative to Raytheon Technologies’ Patriot mobile surface-to-air missile system, which typically costs well into the six-figure range per round, far exceeding the four- or five-figure price tag of the Malloy APKWS rounds.

What sets this system apart is its modularity. Within an hour, the weapon kit can be removed, and the drone can revert to its original roles, cargo transport or reconnaissance, offering battlefield flexibility. This same drone model is already in service with the U.S. Marine Corps and the UK’s Royal Navy, primarily for logistical transport between vessels.

British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) Systems acquired the Malloy Aeronautics unit in 2024 and has since begun efforts to localize key components, including electric motors, within the UK. This aims to reduce reliance on imports from the People’s Republic of China and strengthen domestic supply chains.

The system’s dual-use nature, military and logistical, underscores a growing demand for adaptable solutions that blend offensive capability with practical utility. It addresses the rising urgency for layered air defense systems amid increased drone deployment in conflict zones such as Ukraine and tense regional flashpoints like the Iran–Israel confrontation.

In summary, British Aerospace Engineering (BAE) Systems’ weaponized Malloy T‑150 drone represents a strategic innovation: a cost-effective, modular platform capable of both combat and supply roles. As global militaries adapt to evolving drone threats, flexible tools like this are becoming essential components of modern defense strategy.