The UK company Rotron Aerospace Ltd, owned by Ondas, successfully tested its SkyLance One Way Effect system at the MoD Hebrides Range, a specialist trials site managed by QinetiQ through a long-term partnership. This was part of the UK Ministry of Defence’s Project Brakestop – a Task Force Kindred funded initiative. It marks a significant advance in next-generation long-range strike capabilities and demonstrates the effectiveness of agile, industry-led defence innovation.
Project Brakestop, launched by the MoD’s Taskforce Kindred in November 2024, challenged UK industry to develop a low-cost, ground-launched strike weapon capable of hitting targets more than 500 km away while carrying a powerful 225 kg warhead at speeds of over 600 km/hr. The target unit cost should be around £400,000 excluding the warhead.
Unlike traditional defence acquisition, the programme has shown how an innovative approach to procurement and rapid product development can unlock the potential of agile UK SMEs. Rotron’s lean operating model, quick development cycles, and competitive cost structure enable the company to deliver advanced capabilities at significantly lower cost than many prime contractors, providing better value for the UK taxpayer while accelerating capability delivery.
A key feature of the SkyLance system is its advanced propulsion technology, which provides a significantly greater operational range than comparable solutions in its category. Entirely designed, developed, and manufactured within the United Kingdom, the propulsion system maintains complete sovereign control over essential technology, production, and future development.
Rotron Aerospace is one of three UK suppliers progressing to the next phase of Project Brakestop, which is currently underway. Further testing will be conducted in the UK over the coming months, followed by additional trials abroad, including in Ukraine. Project Brakestop is being delivered by a joint MOD team that includes the National Armaments, 744 Naval Air Squadron, Air and Space Warfare Centre Air Wing 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment, and QinetiQ.
The Rotron-Ondas partnership is expected to significantly accelerate the international reach of UK-developed defence technologies. Demand for these capabilities is growing rapidly among NATO-aligned countries seeking deployable, affordable alternatives to traditional systems, capable of safeguarding borders, military assets, and critical infrastructure.
by David Oliver
