BAE Systems has announced the development of BlackThorn, a new generation of modular multi-purpose warheads designed specifically for autonomous platforms, one-way attack UAVs, counter-drone systems, guided missiles, and unmanned ground vehicles. According to the company, the new warhead has already been selected to equip Frankenburg Technologies’ Mark I short-range surface-to-air missiles.
The development of the new warhead is intended to address the rapidly growing demand for reliable and adaptable munitions that can be readily integrated across a wide range of platforms and emerging weapon systems. According to BAE Systems, the modular design meets the operational requirements of modern warfare while enabling rapid, high-volume production at comparatively low cost.
Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of Maritime and Land Defence Solutions at BAE Systems, stated that BlackThorn combines decades of expertise in warhead design, energetic materials, and fuzing technologies with extensive experience in delivering weapons at scale. He described the system as a new approach to mission payloads for a broad range of platforms, reflecting the evolving requirements of the modern battlefield. Jamieson added that BlackThorn provides a technologically advanced yet cost-effective solution capable of meeting current customer requirements while supporting the rapid delivery of multi-purpose warheads for next-generation expendable systems, missile platforms, autonomous systems, and counter-UAV applications, helping operators stay ahead of emerging threats.
The BlackThorn product family includes 40 mm, 70 mm, and 120 mm variants to ensure compatibility with a wide range of platforms. Its modular architecture supports high-explosive, fragmentation, multi-purpose, and armor-piercing effects, providing mission-tailorable payload options without the need to maintain multiple dedicated weapon systems. According to the company’s press release, the warhead was developed on an accelerated schedule through the extensive use of computational modelling, simulation, and digital engineering, with the design subsequently validated through an extensive live testing program.
Dan Gallette, Managing Director of Frankenburg Technologies UK, stated that the company was established to deliver weapon systems at the scale and cost required by modern warfare. He added that the partnership with BAE Systems combines advanced British warhead technology with low-cost missile production, enabling the development of scalable interceptor capabilities. According to Gallette, the collaboration demonstrates that effective air defence systems can be developed rapidly, produced in the required quantities, and delivered at a cost that supports large-scale deployment.
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Source: ukdefencejournal
