STARK, the European defence manufacturer with a production site in Swindon, today unveiled two new unmanned systems designed to give NATO forces greater firepower through coordinated swarm operations and mass precision strikes.
With a range of up to 100km, Cascade delivers artillery-like reach at a fraction of the cost of conventional long-range munitions. The system, equipped with a 4.5kg payload, allows small mobile units to hit targets deep behind enemy lines, including command posts, logistics hubs, artillery positions and air defence systems.
Cascade can be launched from a single tube, a multi-cell launcher, or containerised systems mounted on vehicles and vessels. STARK has partnered with Hampshire-based Force Development Services to develop a six-cell launcher enabling multiple effectors to be launched from a single vehicle or maritime platform. STARK has already demonstrated launches from its Vanta uncrewed surface vessel, showing how Cascade can be deployed at sea.
STARK also unveiled Gambit, a lightweight quadcopter designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions as well as short-range precision strike operations at ranges of up to 25 km. Equipped with a 2kg payload and weighing just 6kg, Gambit is designed to be carried by frontline operators and used in environments where GPS is jammed or spoofed.
Both Cascade and Gambit integrate with STARK’s Minerva command-and-control software. The systems can operate alongside capabilities across land, air and sea, supporting coordinated swarm operations and allowing operators to control multiple systems simultaneously.
Together, Cascade and Gambit reflect a broader shift towards affordable unmanned systems that can be produced at scale and deployed across land, air and sea.
Johannes Schaback, STARK Chief Technology Officer, said:
“The lesson from Ukraine is clear: armed forces need capabilities that can be produced quickly, adapted rapidly and fielded at scale. Cascade and Gambit were designed for exactly that challenge. They combine affordability, precision and operational flexibility in a way that reflects the realities of modern warfare.”
Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said:
“Ukraine has shown us the reality of modern warfare and the necessity to adapt technology at pace. This UK-German defence collaboration is combining both countries' industrial expertise and supporting skilled jobs in our communities. That's good for British workers, good for our defence sector, and good for our collective security."
Claire Hemmings, Managing Director of Force Development said:
“What makes STARK’s programme unique is the speed at which these systems are being developed and tested in the field. The pace is blistering – capabilities are evolving every few weeks, not every few years. These products sit at the cutting edge of that innovation, delivering a combination of affordability, compact size and precision that is redefining what’s possible on the modern battlefield."
