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2 clusters · 4 sources · 9 days · First seen · Last updated
British Army drone technology and procurement
Overview
The British Army is advancing its unmanned aerial capabilities through both technological experimentation and large-scale procurement.
Initial efforts focused on the Software Defined Swarms Concept Demonstrator, an eight-week test involving the Swarm Capability Test Bed. Developed by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in collaboration with industry partners, these trials tested “true swarming” capabilities, where groups of unmanned aerial vehicles are commanded as a single collaborative unit for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Parallel to these technological developments, the Army has utilized Project Rapstone, a fast-track procurement program, to acquire over 10,000 drones. This initiative prioritizes pilot training, specifically focusing on manual first-person-view (FPV) flight without GPS to prepare soldiers for electronic warfare environments. These efforts are part of a broader strategic goal to double the Army’s fighting power by 2027.
Entities
British Army · Saab · Ministry of Defence · Project Rapstone · Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
Timeline
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[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sourcesBritish Army procures 10,000 drones for pilot training
The British Army has acquired over 10,000 drones through Project Rapstone, focusing heavily on manual FPV pilot training to prepare for environments where GPS and automated aids are unavailable.
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[TECHNOLOGY] 2 sourcesBritish Army tests autonomous drone swarm technology
The British Army has completed eight weeks of trials testing autonomous drone swarm technology designed for collaborative command in intelligence and reconnaissance roles.
Sources
dronexl.co · finance.technews.tw · nnn.ng · ukdefencejournal.org.uk