BlueHalo Counter-Drone Missile Completes Live-Fire Demo
BlueHalo has successfully completed a live-fire demonstration of its counter-uncrewed aerial system (c-UAS) missile for a US Army program.
In January, the company’s Freedom Eagle-1 (FE-1) solution conducted three missile test flights during its first Controlled Test Vehicle trial at the US Army’s Yuma Proving Ground facility in Arizona.
The defense company collected video, sensor logs, radar tracks, and RF diagnostics data on the c-UAS missile’s performance to assess its guidance, navigation, and control systems, in addition to analyzing aerodynamics.
“Going three for three on the first ever launch during the development of a new kinetic missile program is an astounding engineering feat and a testament to our team’s incredible dedication and expertise,” said James Batt, BlueHalo Chief Growth Officer.
Company CEO Jonathan Moneymaker stated that BlueHalo is “taking a proactive stance – increasing internal investments to advance our FE-1 system and leaning in to meet the demand signal on an expedited timeline.”
He cited events in Europe, in which Russia and Ukraine have been intensifying drone attacks against each other, in addition to threats in the Red Sea and Taiwan, as factors influencing the system’s speedy development.
Rapid Milestone Reach
To demonstrate the system’s progress, Batt highlighted that BlueHalo was able to move from “paper design to first flight in 107 days.”
In June 2024, the FE-1 was selected to advance as one of two competitors in the US Army’s Next-Generation C-UAS Missile (NGCM) program, which seeks munitions capable of defeating larger and advanced Group 3 and above UAS.
Following that, the c-UAS missile completed tests involving the successful firing of its dual-thrust, solid rocket motor in August and wrapped up warhead detonation testing by the end of 2024.
BlueHalo plans to launch a customer live-fire demonstration in the third quarter of 2025.
Moreover, Moneymaker acknowledged the US administration’s intent to speed up the acquisition and fielding of new defense capabilities countering drone threats.
“Additionally, Congress is supportive of additional effectors to get longer range, at higher altitudes, against a threat that is evolving faster than we can keep pace with current systems. We’re moving at the speed necessary to meet the need, even if it requires our own internal funding to make it happen,” he said.
