Low Cost Loitering Carrier (LCLC) (2005 - 2007)

In 2005, the MoD awarded start-up company System Development (UK) an £8.4 million contract to develop a low cost loitering munition demonstrator. The Low Cost Loitering Carrier (LCLC) was designed to enable prosecution of time-sensitive and mobile targets in a cost-effective manner. The demonstrator was a rocket-launched, IC powered, 160 kg UAV.

System Development selected Blue Bear to:

build a number of sub-scale vehicles for component shakedown and control-law development;
supply autopilots for the full-scale vehicles;
develop the ground control station for full-scale launches (firings);
develop the control algorithms for the full-scale vehicles; and
support all full-scale firings.

Blue Bear's SNAP autopilot controlled all functions on the full-scale vehicles, including the engine management system and the rocket motor release. Blue Bear was able to tailor the autopilot to meet the specific requirements of this project, and was consequently able to respond rapidly to changes.

Highlights included:

successful flight of the sub-scale vehicle;
successful flight of the full-scale vehicle under autopilot control, including the challenging launch phase.

LCLC Through Life Investment Options (TLIO) (2008 - Present)

Following the two year demonstration phase with System Development (UK), the MoD awarded future development of the loitering munition to MBDA.

Based on the previous work carried out for System Development, MBDA selected Blue Bear to work on platform-specific R&D for insertion into the LCLC throughout its anticipated service life.

Highlights so far have included:

development of a 65% sub-scale demonstrator vehicle;
successful flight of the sub-scale demonstrator under autopilot control;
development and flight demonstration of a Remotely Piloted Vehicle (RPV) control station; and
integration of an advanced sensor package with the sub-scale demonstrator.