SURVICE Engineering, a leader in system protection and enhancement for the aerospace and defense industry, recently participated in a first-of-its-kind demonstration that has the potential to revolutionize national security.
The Harford County company teamed up with BAE Systems, the largest defense contractor in Europe, to successfully destroy both air and ground targets with a weapon system from a modified uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) designed by Malloy Aeronautics.
SURVICE has partnered with the U.K.’s Malloy Aeronautics on electric drone production for the past decade, primarily focused on the development of heavy-lift cargo drone capabilities. The teams have intricately collaborated on research, development, testing, and production at their facilities near the Harford County Airport, which gained the public aviation facility a Drone Center of Excellence designation. Together, they have customized Malloy drones with tactical kits to be used by U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) customers, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Marine Corps.
Last year, BAE Systems acquired Malloy Aeronautics—expanding the global defense company’s presence in Maryland. SURVICE and Malloy, now part of BAE, quickly reaffirmed and extended their strategic alliance and set to work on a self-funded weaponized demonstration to launch precise munitions from uncrewed aircraft.
The trial took place last month in Utah, showcasing the first Counter-UAS strike from a Group 3 UAS. In other words, it is the first time an uncrewed aircraft system of this size and capability has successfully destroyed an uncrewed aerial opponent.
“To prove out a new capability with our partner BAE Systems is an incredible accomplishment for our company and we’re energized to continue refining the capability for fielding,” said Clark Dutterer, vice president of business development at SURVICE. “This is a major accomplishment for national security.”
SURVICE piloted the vehicle and worked on specialized software for the demonstration. As a second-generation family-owned business, working with one of the largest defense companies in the world on this type of pioneering project was no small feat.
“Providing medium UAS-delivered air and ground target strike capability will be a force-multiplying game changer and we are excited to play a role in bringing this new capability to our U.S. and allied-nation warfighters,” said Greg Thompson, president of SURVICE.
Since forming in 1981, SURVICE has grown to more than 425 employees and worked with some of the largest names in aerospace and defense and government contracting. Having supported the U.S. DoD for more than 40 years, the company hopes this achievement can transform into a fielded capability and be utilized over the near term and into the future.
