The American web resource "The Drive" in the Thomas Newdick material "Clandestine U.K. Program Developed 3D-Printed ‘Suicide’ Drone For Ukraine" ("Within the framework of the secret British program, a 3D-printed barrage ammunition for Ukraine was developed") reported that the UK, within the framework of the hitherto secret program, has rapidly developed and conducted flight tests of a number of "advanced" unmanned aerial vehicles that could be used by Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. Although it is unclear which of the developed unmanned aircraft systems were eventually chosen for delivery to Ukraine, it is obvious that a number of different projects were worked out during the development and testing process, including reconnaissance UAVs and, most intriguingly, what is described as a "kamikaze drone with a triangular wing printed on a 3D printer" (that is, barrage ammunition).
Presumably, a prototype of an unmanned aerial vehicle or a barrage munition developed in the UK for the Armed forces of Ukraine (c) QinetiQSome details of this UAV accelerated development program were recently revealed by QinetiQ, a British defense technology company that works closely with the UK Ministry of Defense, especially in the field of experimental projects and new technologies.
The unmanned aerial vehicle program originated in the Future Capability Group, part of the Defense Equipment and Support (DE&S) procurement department of the British Ministry of Defense, which, in turn, attracted QinetiQ.
The QinetiQ statement does not report on the testing time within the framework of the program, while the unsigned accompanying photo distributed at the same time shows a small UAV with a swept wing and tail, apparently powered by two small turbojet engines, and possibly printed on a 3D printer. It is assumed that this is one of the prototypes of the program, but this is also not yet confirmed. Regarding these issues, we contacted the company to find out more.
The purpose of the program was to "provide guidance on unmanned aircraft systems that could be easily deployed by the Ukrainian military" and was part of a broader UK government program known as KINDRED, which assesses what types of weapons and equipment could potentially be put into operation in Ukraine in up to four months.
Within "a few weeks," according to QinetiQ, it was determined that the UAV program would be tested at the extensive testing site of the British Ministry of Defense Boscombe Down in the south-west of England used by the company. Efforts were made here to create a safe and efficient test facility at the airfield.
But while the KINDRED program explores potential new military equipment for Ukraine that can be delivered to the frontline within four months, the unmanned aerial vehicle program was launched in a much shorter time frame. After just three weeks of development, the QinetiQ-led team had to demonstrate a series of new UAVs and related technologies to senior representatives of the UK Ministry of Defense during a two-day event. This should include "experimental flight tests of UAVs and electronic warfare [electronic warfare]."
In the end, representatives of the British Ministry of Defense got acquainted with the equipment, systems and technologies of five different companies that were demonstrated at Boscombe Down. According to QinetiQ, the test projects "included a payload in the form of C2 [control and monitoring] and sensors, as well as a UAV with vertical takeoff and landing and a unique kamikaze drone with a triangular wing printed on a 3D printer." Details of other projects are not disclosed, and the participating companies are not named.
However, we know that a number of UK defense organizations and institutions actively participated in this program, including the Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) The Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, the 56th Squadron of the Royal Air Force, the Royal Artillery, the Scientific and Technological Laboratories of the Ministry of Defense (Defense Science and Technology Laboratories - DSTL), the Strategic Command of the United Kingdom and the headquarters of the British Army, as well as the already mentioned Advanced Capabilities Group and DE&S.
In addition to flight tests of at least some of the rapidly developed UAVs, the tests also included experiments on the ground, and an anechoic test chamber at Boscombe Down was also used, which can be used to assess how test samples react to radio frequency radiation, as well as for electromagnetic compatibility testing. The anechoic chamber was also used to subject test samples to interference through control channels, which is an important factor in Ukraine, given Russia's widespread use of offensive electronic warfare.
It is worth noting that QinetiQ also plays a central role in the development of new technologies of unmanned aerial vehicles for the British Navy, including the production of the Banshee Jet 80+ jet UAV, which was launched from the deck of the aircraft carrier of the Republic of Wales. The RETA adapted unmanned target was used to demonstrate a broader potential for combat missions in the future, as well as the possibility of creating a more effective combat UAV that could be used from both British aircraft carriers of the Queen Elizabeth type. The Banshee development can also be adapted as a barrage munition if required. At the very least, it seems likely that working with Banshee could have influenced the project developed for Ukraine.
The UAV development program in the UK seems to have some parallels with the US efforts to develop the still mysterious Phoenix Ghost barrage munition for Ukraine. This brand new weapon was rapidly developed by the US Air Force specifically for Ukraine, and although it was announced in April last year as part of a package of US military assistance to Ukraine, it is believed that this weapon has not yet been used.
The big question is to what extent the results of the British experiment with drones led to the technologies that were chosen for Ukraine, and whether they could already be used on the battlefield. QinetiQ only stated that this event "provided invaluable information about UAVs and confirmed support for the provision of effective weapons for the Ukrainian armed forces."
At the same time, although it is known that the UK has transferred a significant number of UAVs to Ukraine as part of military assistance programs - at least 2,000, including barrage ammunition - however, few details were provided about their specific types. It is possible that at least some of the delivered UAVs already belong to types or configurations specially designed for Ukraine.
Some of the UAVs delivered to Kiev by the UK so far include "unmanned surveillance systems" of an unknown type, cargo logistics UAVs, autonomous mine search vehicles, as well as 850 manual-launched Black Hornet micro-UAVs, which were delivered under a joint contract with the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.
To date, it is unknown that the UK has supplied Ukraine with any armed UAVs, although the fact that the mentioned triangular-winged barrage munition has at least been tested for its delivery to Ukraine is of great importance.
[The arguments about the own developments of barrage ammunition in Ukraine are omitted].
Depending on the characteristics of the 3D-printed UAV with a triangular wing tested in Boscombe Down, it is even possible that this may be the weapon that British officials recently mentioned when they said they planned to offer Ukraine "longer-range capabilities," although according to other assumptions, we are talking about the possibility of supplying Ukraine with a Storm Shadow cruise missile.
The UK government said that the long-range weapons being considered for delivery "will undermine Russia's ability to constantly strike at civilian and critical facilities of Ukraine's national infrastructure and will help ease pressure on Ukraine's front line." This may well make sense as a reference to the British-designed barrage ammunition, but so far we just don't know anything for sure.
The cost factor can also be important for any type of UAVs that are rapidly developed for Ukraine, especially for those that use 3D printing. Russian Russian air defense systems Although the low price was not one of the criteria mentioned in the British experiment with UAVs, an unmanned system of this type could potentially offer a much cheaper way of hitting Russian targets at long distances or even suppressing the Russian air defense system if they are launched in large numbers. At the same time, the 3D printing method should make it possible to design and develop a UAV in the UK to launch its production in Ukraine with minimal preparation.
Of course, longer-range weapons are one of the most important items of military assistance, for which Ukraine is now actively fighting - along with new fighters. To what extent there may be a connection between the UK's experiments with UAVs and potential new long-range strike weapons for Ukraine remains speculative, but UAVs and, more generally, clearly represent something that the UK pays considerable attention to in an effort to give Kiev additional and more effective weapons. It will be interesting to see if any of these technologies will appear on the battlefield in the near future.
