Jackal & Martlet
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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Jackal & Martlet
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/r...2023-8q5jsjlwc
Missile fired from low-flying Jackal drone in ‘groundbreaking’ test for RAF
A state-of-the-art missile has been fired from a hovering “octocopter” drone for the first time in RAF trials.
British weapons specialists say they have designed a game-changing propeller-powered aircraft capable of launching laser-guided munitions at tanks, helicopters and other targets on the ground or in the air.
Small, remote-controlled copters that drop grenades onto enemy positions have become a feature of modern warfare, but until now they were thought to be too unstable to be integrated with more sophisticated weapon systems.
Flyby Technology, a drone development company based in York, has done just that after pooling resources with the defence firm Thales, in Belfast.
The companies announced a newly modified drone, the Jackal, after it successfully fired two lightweight multirole missiles (LMMs), also known as Martlets, as part of six-week test carried out for the RAF in the UK.
The 1,100mph missiles, which are made by Thales and armed with concentrated explosive charges, are usually shot from shoulder launchers or larger manned platforms.
A combination of stabilisation technology built into the Jackal, which Flyby is keeping secret, and the very low-recoil design of the Martlet made the launch possible.
Firing the weapons from a hovering drone brings unmanned air combat and close air support “a step closer to reality”, the companies said.
The missile-armed drone can be used on the battlefield to against infantry units and armoured tanks. Attacks can be conducted close to friendly forces. The drone can also engage in air-to-air combat — targeting other UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and helicopters in flight.
James Keown, an LMM expert at Thales, described the 16kg (35lb) missile, which has a 6km range, as a versatile projectile than can be launched from a variety of platforms, “be that a man’s shoulder or this type of drone”.
“The missile is designed to create very low recoil force on the launch platform, so you don’t have those instabilities,” he said. “The Jackal is a very stable platform, it hovers superbly, and the purpose of our exercise was to show that.”
He described the trial as a “very visually successful exercise”, adding: “When you see a lightweight, but powerful, weapon fired from such a low platform, a low hover that a helicopter wouldn’t attempt, that demonstrates the capability.”
Jon Parker, chief executive of Flyby, is a former RAF and Royal Navy fighter pilot who drew on his experience in the cockpit to design the Jackal.
Missile fired from low-flying Jackal drone in ‘groundbreaking’ test for RAF
A state-of-the-art missile has been fired from a hovering “octocopter” drone for the first time in RAF trials.
British weapons specialists say they have designed a game-changing propeller-powered aircraft capable of launching laser-guided munitions at tanks, helicopters and other targets on the ground or in the air.
Small, remote-controlled copters that drop grenades onto enemy positions have become a feature of modern warfare, but until now they were thought to be too unstable to be integrated with more sophisticated weapon systems.
Flyby Technology, a drone development company based in York, has done just that after pooling resources with the defence firm Thales, in Belfast.
The companies announced a newly modified drone, the Jackal, after it successfully fired two lightweight multirole missiles (LMMs), also known as Martlets, as part of six-week test carried out for the RAF in the UK.
The 1,100mph missiles, which are made by Thales and armed with concentrated explosive charges, are usually shot from shoulder launchers or larger manned platforms.
A combination of stabilisation technology built into the Jackal, which Flyby is keeping secret, and the very low-recoil design of the Martlet made the launch possible.
Firing the weapons from a hovering drone brings unmanned air combat and close air support “a step closer to reality”, the companies said.
The missile-armed drone can be used on the battlefield to against infantry units and armoured tanks. Attacks can be conducted close to friendly forces. The drone can also engage in air-to-air combat — targeting other UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and helicopters in flight.
James Keown, an LMM expert at Thales, described the 16kg (35lb) missile, which has a 6km range, as a versatile projectile than can be launched from a variety of platforms, “be that a man’s shoulder or this type of drone”.
“The missile is designed to create very low recoil force on the launch platform, so you don’t have those instabilities,” he said. “The Jackal is a very stable platform, it hovers superbly, and the purpose of our exercise was to show that.”
He described the trial as a “very visually successful exercise”, adding: “When you see a lightweight, but powerful, weapon fired from such a low platform, a low hover that a helicopter wouldn’t attempt, that demonstrates the capability.”
Jon Parker, chief executive of Flyby, is a former RAF and Royal Navy fighter pilot who drew on his experience in the cockpit to design the Jackal.
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These rotors cut right through the four fans?
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I would say the rotors are in front of the fans, what it needs is a damned big smiley face on it.. 
Belarus has one that fires RPG's from it.
Belarus has one that fires RPG's from it.
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I just keep reading
and then looking at
And thinking.. WTF did he fly
Jon Parker, chief executive of Flyby, is a former RAF and Royal Navy fighter pilot who drew on his experience in the cockpit to design the Jackal.
And thinking.. WTF did he fly
Two fans finally and some bent wing for rotor clearance. Funny flight test village.
Is it just me, or is this just too good to be true? McCaffee warned me off the defensehere site.
Flight Test village must be local to me btw; looks rather like "Retirement village near (<<insert town>>, prices will surprise me".
Flight Test village must be local to me btw; looks rather like "Retirement village near (<<insert town>>
, prices will surprise me".
Jon Parker FRAeS - Also ex QFI & QWI
https://flybydronetraining.co.uk/instructors/jon-parker
And in person talking about his Shar exchange posting
https://www.aircrewinterview.tv/seah...-jonparker-pt2
https://flybydronetraining.co.uk/instructors/jon-parker
And in person talking about his Shar exchange posting
https://www.aircrewinterview.tv/seah...-jonparker-pt2
Just read his CV - not sure I would have included this! 
How is that going? 
and set up a company to re-design the flying training for all 3 armed services on behalf of Lockheed Martin
A lot cheaper buying the main bits from Turkey than asking BAe I'd guess...............
One wonders what they're using to designate for the missile? Looks like you'd need a cooperating drone ivo the launcher to designate as there doesn't seem to be capacity on that thing for a decent EO system. Not beyond the wit obviously, but this is looking like a "smoke and mirrors" around the first step of safe carriage and release to my eyes.
One wonders what they're using to designate for the missile? Looks like you'd need a cooperating drone ivo the launcher to designate as there doesn't seem to be capacity on that thing for a decent EO system. Not beyond the wit obviously, but this is looking like a "smoke and mirrors" around the first step of safe carriage and release to my eyes.
Times are definitely changing.
