BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse sign MoU to partner on autonomous aircraft using SkyOS

BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore joint opportunities for autonomous and optionally piloted aircraft. Under the agreement, Skyryse's SkyOS will become the preferred aircraft operating system and provider of flight control logic for BAE Systems Australia on joint projects.

Skyryse's SkyOS is designated as the preferred software layer for flight control logic and aircraft operating system work that BAE Systems Australia and Skyryse pursue together. The companies will collaborate to identify government and commercial use cases for both rotary and fixed‑wing platforms, including modernising existing fleets and developing new designs.

• Skyryse: contributes SkyOS, described as a software‑defined, human‑rated flight software platform that supports piloted, optionally piloted and fully autonomous flight in helicopters and fixed‑wing aircraft. Skyryse positions SkyOS as certifiable and designed to combine human‑rated control with autonomous capabilities.

The two systems are described as complementary: Skyryse's flight software and autonomy stack paired with BAE's systems integration and vehicle management expertise. BAE's managing director of defence delivery, Andrew Gresham, framed the partnership as a way to leverage BAE's sovereign autonomy work while growing opportunities in the autonomous aircraft market. Skyryse's CEO, Mark Groden, positioned SkyOS as a foundation for modernising fleets and enabling next‑generation optionally piloted and autonomous aircraft.

The MoU targets government, commercial and defence sectors. Specific applications cited include modernising existing fleets and enabling future clean‑sheet aircraft designs that incorporate optionally piloted or autonomous operation modes. The collaboration also aims to strengthen the combined market offering and accelerate sales success for both companies.

The companies will collaborate as SkyOS evolves, working to integrate capabilities and refine offerings for customers. The announcement indicates a commercial and defence focus, with the intent to pursue projects where software‑defined autonomy and vehicle management can be integrated and, ultimately, certified. The MoU itself defines a preferred‑provider relationship rather than detailing contracts, timelines or specific programmes.

For defence buyers: an Australian defence supplier (BAE Systems Australia) is formalising access to a commercial autonomy stack that its leadership says is designed for certifiability.

For commercial operators: the partnership signals an industry push to pair proven systems integration experience with a software‑defined flight control platform that supports piloted and autonomous modes.

For the broader market: the agreement reflects ongoing industry activity to combine established systems integration capabilities with new autonomy software as companies and governments explore how to modernise fleets and introduce optionally piloted and autonomous aircraft.