At DSEI 2025 in London, BAE Systems unveiled the T-650 heavy-lift uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV), a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform designed for tactical logistics and battlefield resupply. Developed in partnership with Malloy Aeronautics and supported by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the T-650 aims to address growing demand for autonomous aerial transport in contested environments.
Design Overview and Capabilities
The T-650 is a quadcopter-style electric-powered UAV optimized for short-range tactical missions. It features a modular open architecture that allows rapid reconfiguration for multiple roles including cargo transport, CASEVAC (casualty evacuation), ISR payload delivery, or even potential kinetic missions. The aircraft is capable of lifting up to 300 kg of payload—placing it among the heaviest-lifting electric VTOL drones currently under development in NATO countries.
Key specifications include:
- Payload capacity: up to 300 kg
- Range: approximately 30 km with full payload
- Flight endurance: up to 30 minutes depending on load
- Propulsion: fully electric with swappable battery packs
- Launch/Recovery: VTOL from unprepared surfaces
The system can be operated autonomously via pre-programmed routes or manually controlled via secure datalink. Its ruggedized airframe is built to operate in austere environments without requiring complex infrastructure—an essential feature for forward-deployed units.
Tactical Role and Operational Use Cases
The T-650 is tailored for last-mile resupply missions where traditional ground vehicles face threats from mines, ambushes, or terrain limitations. By using an aerial route above ground obstacles and threats, the system can deliver ammunition, water, medical supplies or spare parts directly to frontline units without risking personnel.
Potential mission sets include:
- Tactical resupply: Delivering critical supplies to dispersed units under fire or in remote areas
- Civil-military support: Humanitarian aid delivery during disaster response operations
- Cargo shuttle between FOBs: Autonomous point-to-point transfers between forward operating bases
- Medevac/CASEVAC (future variant): Evacuation of wounded personnel using modified cargo pods
The UK MoD has already conducted early user trials through its Heavy Lift Challenge program launched by Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). These trials evaluated how such systems could integrate into British Army logistics chains under Multi-Domain Integration (MDI) concepts.
Malloy Aeronautics Partnership and Development Pathway
The T-650 is based on Malloy Aeronautics’ proven heavy-lift drone lineage—particularly the Malloy TRV series (Tactical Resupply Vehicle). BAE Systems partnered with Malloy in recent years to scale up these platforms into military-grade systems with enhanced autonomy and survivability features.
Malloy’s earlier TRV-150 platform had a maximum payload of around 68 kg. The joint development effort has now quadrupled that capacity while maintaining VTOL capability and modularity. According to BAE representatives at DSEI, the companies are exploring hybrid-electric variants that could extend range beyond current battery limitations.
A key focus of the collaboration is compliance with NATO STANAGs and integration into digital command-and-control networks such as Bowman and future Land ISTAR architectures. This would allow seamless tasking from brigade-level HQs down to platoon-level operators via secure tactical networks.
Sustainability and Swarm Potential
The fully electric propulsion system aligns with broader UK MoD objectives around carbon reduction and operational energy resilience. Battery swap capability enables rapid turnaround without lengthy recharge cycles—a vital feature during high-tempo operations.
An additional area of interest is swarm deployment. While not yet fielded as such, BAE officials noted that autonomous coordination between multiple T-650s could enable distributed logistics networks or mass-casualty evacuation scenarios where multiple drones operate simultaneously across dispersed terrain.
This aligns with emerging NATO concepts around “logistics as a service” using autonomous platforms operating semi-independently within contested battlespaces—reducing human exposure while increasing supply chain resilience under fire.
DSEI Showcase and Future Procurement Outlook
The platform was demonstrated statically at DSEI alongside simulation footage showing its use in urban combat zones delivering crates directly onto rooftops or narrow alleyways inaccessible by vehicle convoys. A live flight demonstration was reportedly conducted off-site prior to the event for select defense stakeholders.
No formal procurement contract has been announced yet by the UK MoD; however, DE&S confirmed continued evaluation within its Uncrewed Air Systems portfolio through FY2026. Export interest has reportedly come from several NATO allies seeking agile logistic solutions compatible with expeditionary doctrines—including Norway and Poland.
If adopted widely, systems like the T-650 could fundamentally reshape how light forces are sustained across dispersed battlefields—especially under anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) conditions where traditional supply lines are vulnerable or degraded.
Conclusion: A Step Toward Autonomous Battlefield Logistics
The unveiling of the T-650 at DSEI marks an important milestone in Western efforts to operationalize heavy-lift UAVs for tactical logistics roles. With its high payload capacity, modular design philosophy, electric propulsion system and battlefield-ready ruggedization—the platform represents a credible contender in this emerging domain.
If successfully integrated into military supply chains over coming years—and supported by doctrinal updates—the T-650 may help unlock new levels of agility for maneuver forces operating across complex multi-domain environments.
