BAE Systems, Australia, has unveiled a fascinating new autonomous, hybrid, VTOL UAV for military use. The STRIX, developed in Australia, folds to fit inside a shipping container, and is capable of carrying 160 kg (353 lb) of payload over 800 km (500 miles). The STRIX was unveiled at Australia’s recent Avalon Air Show, in front of air force chiefs from around the world – with the notable exceptions, according to ABC News, of Russian and Chinese delegates, who had been excluded from the conference.

BAE Systems has developed the aircraft in conjunction with Perth-based Innovaero. It describes the Strix as a “hybrid, tandem-wing, multi-domain and multi-role UAS,” capable of performing missions including air-to-ground strike, persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or potentially serving as a “loyal wingman” – style force multiplier to accompany military helicopters. Watch a video animation of Strix here.