UK orders micro-UAS from Elbit
The Magni-X micro-UAS will be supplied to select British Army units beginning this year. (Photo: Elbit Systems UK)
The Elbit Magni-X quadcopter is already in service with other armed forces.
The UK MoD has awarded Elbit Systems UK a contract to provide Magni-X micro-UAS.
The drones will be delivered to specialist British Army units for service by mid-2023 under the award placed by Defence Equipment & Support's (DE&S) Future Capability Group as part of the army's human-machine teaming framework.
The 2kg Magni-X is billed as a man-packable system capable of autonomous flight. It can be integrated with Elbit's Legion-X system to give it swarming capabilities.
The Magni-X delivered to the British Army will carry payloads including electro-optical and infrared cameras. An Elbit spokesperson declined to comment on the contract's value and size when Shephard asked.
Elbit Systems UK CEO Martin Fausset said the contract was another milestone in the company's delivery of UAS to the UK armed forces.
The micro-UAS can support short-range reconnaissance and combat and intelligence operations for up to 60 minutes.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
-
![Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities]()
Pentagon adds Replicator 2 to budget request with focus on C-sUAS capabilities
Funds for the second phase of this effort will be allocated in the US Department of Defense (DoD) FY2026 budget request.
