Indo Pacific 2025: Australia to trial T-150 octocopters from military vessels

A Malloy T-150 seen here with a mock-up of an APKWS laser guidance kit-equipped rocket at Indo Pacific 2025. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

A BAE Systems representative confirmed to Janes at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2025 in Sydney held from 4 to 6 November that it will work with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to trial the Malloy T-150 octocopter from onboard selected Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Australian Army vessels.

In addition to the trials, BAE Systems will highlight how the T-150 can be used with its Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser guidance kit, which would allow the octocopter to fulfil possible ADF requirements.

The T-150 is an electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) octocopter designed for tactical resupply missions.

It can carry payloads of up to 68 kg, operate in various maritime conditions, and deliver critical supplies such as ammunition, food, and medical equipment over ranges of up to 38 km depending on the payload and weather conditions.

The system was in service with the UK Royal Navy's Carrier Strike Group 25 (CSG25) during Operation ‘Highmastʼ, where it undertook inter-vessel delivery operations that would have traditionally required naval helicopters.

At this juncture, the BAE Systems representative was not able to disclose further details behind the trials that will be conducted for the ADF, including details of the vessels involved or when it will start.

However, the representative confirmed that there has also been interest in the armed variant of the T-150 that is equipped with the APKWS laser guidance kit, especially after trials of the system were announced in July.

In the trials, a specially modified T-150 variant successfully engaged air and ground targets with 70 mm rockets with this kit.