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The contract, for the delivery of over 250 mini drones, is expected to provide the UK Armed Forces with additional high-resolution aerial imaging capabilities.
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In mid-December, the UK Ministry of Defence announced that it awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin UK valued at £129 million for the delivery of 159 rotary-wing Indago 4 and 105 fixed-wing Stalker VXE30 drones.
Designed to enhance the UK military’s high-resolution imaging capabilities to better locate and identify targets, the contract will replace current mini uncrewed aerial systems units including the Desert Hawk 3.
Under the current procurement schedule, the new systems are slated to be operational by the end of 2024.
Both systems can identify targets at multiple ranges and operate in several environments.
The 20-kilogram and vertical-launched Stalker has been proven during operations, with eight hours imaging capability and can cover some 60 miles.
Meanwhile, the Indago 4 is a packable drone weighing in at 2.27 kilograms that can be deployed in two minutes. The Indago 4 can be folded and carried by warfighters in their kit and has an eight-mile range.
The contract is expected to last for the next 10 years, with the prime contractor providing through life support to ensure that the drones maintain competitive advantage by upgrading the systems to match emerging threats.
The systems are already in use with the US military.
Dubbed the TIQUILA Enterprise, Lockheed Martin UK will support the integration of local small and medium-sized enterprises to provide ongoing improvements to the platforms.
TIQUILA will bring the next generation of remotely piloted air systems into service in the Army. It will provide the means for the capability to remain at the leading edge of innovation allowing it to adapt to new threats,” Brigadier Pete Drew, the British Army’s Senior Responsible Owner for the TIQUILA program explained.
“It marks a significant milestone for the Land ISTAR program, with TIQUILA being the first sensor to be digitally integrated into the wider ISTAR ecosystem. It will speed up decision making and will make us more lethal, responsive and resilient as a force, underlining the Army’s commitment to delivering Future Soldier as set out in the integrated review.”
[Related: Lockheed Martin, Rafael join forces for laser weapons program]
