QinetiQ in partnership with Northrop Grumman have revealed plans to develop vertical take-off unmanned air system (VTUAS) for the UK Royal Navy at the ongoing DSEi exhibition held in London, UK.

The company plans to integrate the Northrop-built Fire Scout vehicle management system (VMS) into the Gazelle helicopter to create a UK VTUAS capability.

The VTUAS capability will provide a superior persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system, which will enhance the maritime and war-fighting capabilities of the navy.

QinetiQ’s assistant technical director Jeremy Howitt said that the capability gaps in the Royal Navy can be improved with a reasonable shipborne VTUAS solution.

The helicopter conversion into a VTUAS platform will be carried out at QinetiQ MOD Boscombe Down, while the flight test work for the demonstrator programme will be conducted at the QinetiQ West Wales UAV Centre.

Naval Technology Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Naval Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Virtualitics has secured the Innovation and Business Expansion awards for its Integrated Readiness Optimization (IRO) suite. Discover how its explainable AI is transforming maintenance, sustainment and mission readiness, giving defence leaders faster, clearer, and more confident operational decisions.

Discover the Impact