A British firm is on a mission to develop a clean-sheet uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) for the Swedish military within an 18-month timeframe.
GKN Aerospace announced a collaboration with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to design a flexible UAV platform capable of taking on a wide variety of missions.
Built on an adaptive framework, the system is expected to speed up decision-making while remaining open to future hardware or software upgrades.
The concept will move through several development stages, including tests of its turbojet engine, fuselage, and onboard systems, culminating in flight trials to see how it performs in the sky.
“This program is a great example of how we can work closely with the [FMV] to rapidly explore new capabilities that are both innovative and cost-effective,” GKN Aerospace Senior Vice President of Governmental Solutions Stefan Oscarsson stated.
“It reflects our shared commitment to strengthening Sweden’s defense readiness and technological edge and builds on decades of trusted collaboration.”
Mapping the Path
The built-from-scratch UAV initiative grew out of a $15.9-million contract for the Swedish Armed Forces and Air Force.
It highlights the company’s role as a trusted manufacturer of key systems for Swedish defense, including the RM12 engine that powers the Gripen fighter jet.
Development work will be spread across Europe: engine work in Sweden, airframe manufacturing in the Netherlands, and GKN teams across the UK contributing to the overall UAV program.
