Following the successful guided launch of a live weapon during recent trials, the BAE Systems Fury armed reconnaissance and close air support UAS (Unmanned Autonomous System) is making its public debut on static display at the Farnborough International Air Show 2008.

Sharing a similar airframe and some vehicle system components with the HERTI reconnaissance and surveillance UAS, Fury features the latest generation mission systems avionics, a newly developed stores management system and a proven weapon guidance system.

The product of a distinct military development programme, Fury has been developed and trialled in partnership with Thales UK's missile business in Belfast, Northern Ireland. This latest member of the BAE Systems' UAS family is armed with the new Thales Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM) system, selected for Fury due to its suitability for lightweight manoeuvrable platforms, and for its ability to fire on the move while delivering significant precision effects.

BAE Systems' project director Chris Clarkson said: "Fury is an affordable and reliable platform which has the ability to perform a number of military roles. With a high degree of autonomy, it combines many of the already proven elements of our other unmanned platforms, including a small logistic footprint and low operator workload with a reliable and highly accurate weapon system."

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems is the premier global defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With 97,500 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £15.7 billion (US$ $31.4 billion) in 2007.