BAE Systems has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with defence start-up Frankenburg Technologies to explore collaboration on counter-drone technologies, as the UK defence sector seeks faster, lower-cost responses to evolving aerial threats.
The agreement will initially focus on combining the companies’ expertise to accelerate the development of warheads for Frankenburg’s planned mass-producible missile systems, designed for counter-drone operations. The partners will also explore additional technologies for future development.
Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime & Land Defence Solutions business, said: “Collaborating with innovative companies like Frankenburg Technologies enables us to accelerate the development of advanced, affordable solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers,” Jamieson said.
“By bringing together our proven munitions expertise with Frankenburg’s disruptive missile technology, we’re helping to deliver the next generation of counter-drone capability at pace to stay ahead of emerging threats.”
Dan Hallett, Managing Director of Frankenburg Technologies, described the partnership as a step forward for collaboration between large defence contractors and SMEs.
“By bringing together Frankenburg’s agility and rapid innovation with BAE Systems’ scale, industrial depth and global reach, together we’re creating the conditions for new technologies to move from concept to capability far faster,” Hallett said.
“This MoU highlights the UK as a place where SMEs and primes can collaborate to deliver the next generation of sovereign capability.”
BAE Systems said the agreement forms part of its broader strategy to work with disruptive smaller companies, using its industrial capacity and defence expertise to help accelerate the development and deployment of new technologies.
The move reflects growing industry efforts to address the rapid evolution of drone warfare, with defence firms racing to deliver scalable and cost-effective counter-drone systems for modern battlefields.
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