The Hawk measures 900×900 mm in size and 250mm in height. It weighs three kilograms and can fly up to 50 minutes, at a maximum speed of 72 km/h at an altitude 2000 meters above ground level. Photo: Tamir Eshel. Defense-UpdateNot all mini-drones are hacked off commercial platforms. During the recent Army 2016 exhibition, the Russian MOD Robotics Center (GNIITS) unveiled the ‘Hawk’, a miniature three-rotor surveillance drone designed to carry a payload of 0.7 kg, which includes a thermal camera or a magnetometer for countermine missions. On attack mission or two grenade size bombs for attack purposes. The Hawk measures 900×900 mm in size and 250mm in height. It weighs three kilograms and can fly up to 50 minutes, at a maximum speed of 72 km/h at an altitude 2000 meters above ground level.
The Rotem L, introduced this year by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) follows a similar path, using a folding quadrotor platform that can carry a payload of one kilogram, to attack ‘soft targets’ such as personnel or vehicles exposed in otherwise accessible locations. Unlike the Hawk, Rotem-L is a loitering weapon, which means its explosive load is activated on the platform, thus the platform’s sensors ensure continuous imaging of the target until the last second.
Switchblade (LMAMS) loitering weapon uncovered in Syria last year. The weapon is used exclusively by the US forces.The US Army has also adopted weaponized mini-drones in recent years. The Army Close Combat Weapons Systems Project Office has recently awarded Aerovironment a follow-on contract for Block 10C Switchblade Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile Systems (LMAMS) and support services valued at $22 million through a Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statement. The company is expected to deliver the weapons within 12 months. During the conflict in Syria LMAMS have been spotted in several locations, indicating the use by US Special Forces or supported organizations.
The Israeli company Uvision has also developed the Hero 30 mini loitering weapon, powered by a single electrically driven pusher propellor. The drone uses two cruciform fins, for controlled flight and terminal dive at high speed. Addressing significant interest from foreign customers, UVision have entered marketing agreement with a number of foreign companies, including Raytheon in the USA and Thales in Europe.
UVision’s Hero 30 mini loitering weapon on display with the Thales Group at this year’s Eurosatory defense expo. Photo: NOam Eshel, Defense-Update.
The ongoing wars in Eastern Europe, Caucasus, and the Middle East have emphasized drones as a new and rapidly changing tool of warfare. First manifested in the US war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the...
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and Lockheed Martin are collaborating to provide Net-Enabled Weapons (NEW) capability for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SeaGuardian Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The addition of NEW capability for SeaGuardian will bolster the Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Targeting (ISR&T) capability for the aircraft, enabling the platform to rapidly engage targets based on real-time intelligence collected by its sensors. Such capabilities are already supported by the MQ-9 but were not yet implemented by the MQ-8B SeaGuardian.
Recent combat operations have demonstrated the profound influence of unmanned aerial vehicles on recent warfare. This article highlights the new roles and utilization of UAS in ISR, logistics and attack, leveraging hybrid designs of VTOL, fixed wing, ICE and electric propulsion.
Elbit Systems has rolled out the Hermes 650 Spark, the latest addition to its Hermes family of Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS). Spark is designed to be the contemporary successor to the long-serving Hermes 450, aiming to modernize UAS fleets that currently consist of mixed 450/900 models or are exclusively equipped with the 450 variants.
Milrem Robotics, an Estonian company partly owned by the UAE based EDGE Group will equip the UAE Armed Forces with 60 Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), according to an official announcement released yesterday at the colsong day of the UMEX exhibition in Dubai. Milrem also unveiled a new 8x8 platform expected to expand its RCV fleet next year.