Case Study: PDW’s C100 Demonstrates Mission-Critical Target Designation Capabilities for UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD)
Executive Summary:
Modern militaries face increasing challenges in executing precision fires against high-value targets in contested environments. Traditional manned platforms and legacy targeting systems expose personnel to risk and are limited in range, agility, and survivability—especially in anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) scenarios. Forces require low-signature, responsive systems that can designate targets deep in the battlespace while remaining agile and cost-effective.
To address this need, PDW demonstrated its C100 quadcopter equipped with the Leonardo DRS STAG™ 5 laser target designator (LTD) for the UK Ministry of Defence. During a live-fire event at the 9 Mile Testing Center in Texas, the C100 successfully tracked and designated targets for ground-launched APKWS rockets, achieving precise impacts within the intended target area. The drone also completed an extended-range mission using the NextVision DragonEye2 EO/IR payload, maintaining control and video feed at over 8.5 km, showcasing the platform’s endurance and reliability.
The C100 was flown with both LTD and non-LTD payloads throughout the demonstration, underscoring its multi-mission adaptability and ease of payload integration.
The success of the C100 highlights its critical role in enabling precision fires with minimal risk to operators. By extending the reach of target acquisition and designation beyond traditional frontlines, the C100 empowers commanders with real-time, organic targeting capabilities. This supports rapid, accurate strikes while preserving force survivability.
In contested environments, the ability to deliver precision fires without reliance on manned aircraft or forward observers presents a decisive tactical and strategic advantage. The C100 provides a scalable, autonomous, and modular solution that enhances the depth, tempo, and lethality of long-range precision fires across multi-domain operations.
Overview & Objective:
The project, funded by UK Ministry of Defence, supported enhancing the UK’s defense and security through cutting-edge science and technology. As part of this demonstration, the project sought to evaluate advanced technologies that could enhance the accuracy and reliability of target designation systems for the UK military.
PDW’s objective was to validate the C100 platform integrated with the Leonardo DRS STAG™ 5 laser target designator (LTD) through live fire guidance of APKWS 2.75” rockets.
Results:
The C100 successfully tracked and designated targets for three ground-launched rockets using the STAG 5 payload. Impacts were made within the designated area, confirming the C100’s reliability as a valuable asset for military operations requiring aerial target designation.
In addition to the target designation tests, the PDW team conducted a successful long-range test of the C100 equipped with the NextVision DragonEye2 electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) camera. The drone maintained excellent command and control as well as video feed over 8.5 kilometers, demonstrating the system’s range and operational reliability.
The C100 was flown with both LTD and non-LTD payloads over the course of the demonstration to showcase its versatility and reliability in different mission scenarios.
Conclusion:
The successful demonstration of the PDW C100 at the MOD event highlights the drone’s significant potential for enhancing military operations. With its advanced LTD capabilities and impressive operational range, the C100 offers a valuable tool for the UK military and allied forces. PDW continues to drive innovation in unmanned systems technology, reinforcing its commitment to advancing defense capabilities on the global stage.
“PDW is committed to advancing technology at the pace of modern warfare, and we are excited to continue working with both domestic and international allies to provide cutting-edge capabilities for mission success,” said Ryan Gury, co-founder and CEO of PDW.
