Aerospace and defence firm BAE Systems has acquired quadcopter-drone manufacturer Malloy.
UK-based Malloy Aeronautics designs and supplies electric drones primarily for defense applications. The company offers a range of drones capable of lifting payloads from 68kg to 300kg (150 to 660 lbs) over short to medium ranges, so-called last mile logistics.
Malloy, which was founded in 2013 and employs around 80 people will continue to operate from its site in Berkshire, UK. The company will become part of BAE Systems’ FalconWorks R&D business unit.
BAE Systems and Malloy have been partnering on drone projects since 2021. For example, last year the two companies demonstrated the T-600. a drone about the size of a small car that is able to carry payloads of up to 200kg (440 lbs), dropping a torpedo as part of a NATO exercise.
Engineers from the companies have also been collaborating on the 300kg-payload capable T-650 drone as a potential new solution to deliver cost-effective, sustainable rapid response capability to military, security and civilian customers.
Oriol Badia, chief operating officer of Malloy Aeronautics said, “This new step in our journey with BAE Systems will allow us to combine the strengths and vision of a young company with the reach and support of an experienced one, ultimately giving our customers the ability to scale their demands and allow us to deliver innovative new products – including the T-650 – at pace.”
Dave Holmes, managing director of FalconWorks said, “Malloy’s expertise and innovation is a really exciting addition to our FalconWorks family. This acquisition supports our commitment to increase our portfolio, offering new and existing customers the cutting-edge solutions they need.”
Simon Barnes, group managing director of BAE Systems’ air sector said, “We are confident that the synergy between our two companies will pave the way for even greater achievements in uncrewed aerial systems and technologies.”
