Threod Systems Cata Launcher Selected for British Army ASGARD One-Way Effector Programme

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected Threod Systems’ Cata aircraft launcher as the most suitable solution for the British Army’s emerging one-way effector (OWE) capability under the ASGARD programme. According to a representative of the MoD, the system is currently the only launcher proven capable of supporting both ASGARD and other OWE projects and is described as a common interoperable solution across Defence OWE programmes.

The launcher system underwent a series of mobility, safety and launch trials throughout 2025 with the British Army Trials Unit and industry partners. According to the British MoD, the trials demonstrated the system’s operational suitability and interoperability with other British Army OWE platforms. Following successful testing, the launcher has also been requested by other units within the Ministry of Defence for future OWE trials.

As a result of the procurement, the parties are preparing to enter into a contract with a total value of £4,996,500. The first deliveries by Threod Systems are expected in the first quarter of 2026.

Threod’s pneumatic aircraft launcher system Cata provides the required launch speed of up to 55 meters per second for any one-way effector weighing between 50 kg and 400 kg from a single platform. Different UAV types can be launched from the same launcher using platform-specific adapters. This allows armed forces to operate multiple OWEs while maintaining operational flexibility and cost efficiency per launch.

Arno Vaik, CEO of Threod Systems, said: “Launcher systems are critical components in the development of one-way effector capabilities for European armed forces. The trials carried out with the British Army Trials Unit demonstrated how Threod’s simple and reliable launcher architecture can provide operators with the capability to deploy multiple one-way effector drones using a single launcher system. We are pleased that the Cata launcher will now support the British Army and strengthen our cooperation with UK defence partners.”

Threod Systems is an Estonian defence technology company specializing in the development and manufacturing of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), electro-optical reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition solutions, and launcher systems for one-way effectors and target drones. Threod Systems has delivered its products to 27 countries, including 14 NATO member states and Ukraine.

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