In collaboration project, BAE Systems develops nano “Bug” drone which is being tested by the British Army

In collaboration with UAVTEK, BAE Systems has developed a nano “Bug” drone and delivered the first 30 units to the British Army.

The Bug is a nano-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle weighing about the same as a smartphone, with a 40 minute battery life and 2km range. It can fly in strong winds of more than 50mph. It was the only nano-UAV able to cope with the uncompromising weather during a recent Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE) event hosted by the Ministry of Defence’s Future Capability Group, according to BAE.

“We delivered the Bug in partnership with UAVTEK, an SME that designs and builds UAVs from its workshop in the Cotswolds,” said James Gerard, Principal Technologist at BAE Systems’ Applied Intelligence business. “This kind of collaboration is happening right across BAE Systems and is a great way to quickly get the best thinking from small companies into the hands of military users.”

The teams are now working on the next developments on the nano-UAV, exploring sensing equipment and capabilities which could be added, as well as how the Bug could be integrated with other military equipment.

Learn more about the project HERE.