Strap in, DroneXL fans, because BAE Systems just took multi-rotor drones to a whole new level! At the US Army’s Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, their TRV-150 drone fired precision-guided missiles, nailing both air and ground targets with zero misses.
This isn’t your average delivery drone—it’s a modified logistics platform turned battlefield beast, launching BAE’s APKWS laser-guided rockets. For our drone enthusiasts, this trial is a thrilling peek at drones stepping up from selfies to serious combat roles. Let’s break down why the TRV-150’s missile-firing debut is set to shake up the frontline.
What Happened in Utah?
The TRV-150, a souped-up version of BAE’s Malloy T-150 logistics drone, was equipped with the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guidance kit
These kits turn unguided 70mm Hydra rockets into smart munitions. During trials, it became the first UAS to fire APKWS rockets in an air-to-air engagement, hitting fast-moving drones and ground targets with pinpoint accuracy.
The rockets, powered by a Mk66 Mod 4 motor, reach 1,000 m/s (3,280 ft/s) and can strike up to 3.7 miles km (6 km) away, guided by distributed aperture semi-active laser seeker (DASALS) optics.
BAE, partnered with SURVICE Engineering, adapted the TRV-150 to US Marine Corps specs, transforming it from a cargo carrier into a multi-role strike platform. The trial, completed in just four months, blew past expectations, with the drone’s stability and precision earning high marks. “This is a force-multiplying game changer,” said SURVICE’s Greg Thompson, noting its potential to give troops a low-cost, flexible way to neutralize threats like enemy drones or ground targets.
How It Compares
The TRV-150 leaves our recent drone stories in the dust. The TRV-150, with its missile-firing prowess, is a combat-ready beast. Unlike the MQ-9 Reaper, which also uses APKWS but costs millions, the TRV-150’s $22,000 rockets are a “budget-friendly” alternative to pricey systems like Patriot missiles, offering precision with minimal collateral damage. The Mer Bleue Bog drones scan for WWII bombs, but the TRV-150 is tackling modern threats head-on.
What it really shocks me is the age and power of the TRV-150. We are talking about a drone that’s at least three years old and can carry 150 pounds (68 kg). I remember seeing the DJI FlyCart and was surprised, but these guys at Malloy Aeronautics had been doing bigger drones that can carry way more, the T400 for example, can lift 400 pounds (180 kg) and has a, get ready, 42 MILES (70 km) range!
The Catch
The TRV-150’s not perfect yet. Its range and payload are smaller than heavy hitters like the Reaper, and APKWS rockets are best for soft or lightly armored targets, not heavy tanks. Multi-rotor drones can wobble in high winds, unlike fixed-wing platforms. BAE’s planning upgrades for ease of use by late 2025, with more tests in 2026, but scaling for mass deployment will take time. Still, the US, UK, and allied forces are already knocking, eager for a piece of this tech.
The DroneXL Take
As a drone pilot who’s wrestled with wind gusts and prayed for steady shots, I’m geeking out over the TRV-150. A multi-rotor drone firing missiles like a futuristic sniper? That’s next-level cool for my drone-loving soul. Going from cargo hauler to combat star in four months is insane, and the zero-miss record is a mic drop. Compared to the Aqua’s splashy tricks or Skydweller’s endurance runs, this is drones stepping into the big leagues.
I’m curious how it’ll fare in messy conditions—storms or drone swarms could be tricky. The $22,000 rockets are a steal, but I want to see that 3.7 miles range stretched. If BAE refines this, it could give troops a cheap, deadly edge. Who’s ready for missile-slinging drones to rule the battlefield?
Photographs courtesy of BAE Systems and Malloy Aeronautics
