DSEI 2025: MBDA unveils Crossbow – a new deep strike one-way effector
The One-Way Effector Heavy (OWE(H)) was designed over seven months, with the company currently in discussions to field demonstrations of the product by Q4 2025.
E-2D ready for launch from the flight deck of USS Nimitz. (Photo: USN/Petty Officer 3rd Class Samuel Bacon)
E-2D Advanced Hawkeye cockpit redesign efforts in the US are progressing with the latest $12.7 million contract modification from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
NAVAIR awarded Northrop Grumman the original $34 million cockpit redesign contract in September 2020.
The programme includes a critical redesign of hardware and software components of the current AN/AYK-27 integrated navigation control and display systems, as well as an integration of a glass cockpit solution into the weapon system.
Under the latest contract modification, Northrop Grumman will provide various ‘non-recurring engineering’ services in support of the cockpit redesign, such as requirements development, systems engineering technical reviews, certification planning, performance-based navigation and cyber.
Work is expected to be completed in June 2023, the DoD noted in a 13 October announcement.
The One-Way Effector Heavy (OWE(H)) was designed over seven months, with the company currently in discussions to field demonstrations of the product by Q4 2025.
With numerous nations, including the UK, committing a combined US$9.99 billion to acquiring the MQ-9B MALE UAV according to Shephard Defence Insight data, the capability now looks set to soar as UAV spending rises globally.
Launched at DSEI 2025 for the first time, the first-person-view uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) is available as 10-inch and 7-inch variant, ideal for surveillance or one-way strike missions.
As the home of British helicopters, Leonardo has worked with the UK Ministry of Defence for over a decade to advance technologies underpinning uncrewed rotorcraft. Today, in partnership with DE&S Future Capabilities Innovation and the Royal Navy, Leonardo is spearheading the next step in that journey: from remotely piloted technologies to fully autonomous systems.
Focused on shaping the armed forces for the fight ahead, DSEI will hone in on new technology and small and medium enterprises to help lead the sector forward.
The surveillance aircraft from Boeing is deployed by various countries, most notably the Royal Australian Air Force; but ongoing setbacks for future customers, who cite rising costs and delays, have thrown the aircraft into the spotlight.