Discoverer II UAV takes flight
Unmanned Systems Group (UMS) has announced that its Discoverer II Remotely Piloted Air System has completed its maiden flight from the Karlskoga airfield in Sweden.
The five hour flight, which took place on 3 September 2012, has been deemed a success by the company, particularly in terms of the aircraft’s responsiveness and handling characteristics.
The production prototype was built at the UMS facility in Linköping and was flown by the UMS head of flight operations, Dave Cummins.
Cummins commented after the flight: ‘[The Discoverer II] was a delight to fly and we are all very pleased with this success story – just 5 months from design to first flight is a measure of teamwork and dedication that is seen within the UMS team. The flight was a great success and we are all very pleased.’
The Discoverer II is the largest RPAS in the UMS inventory and is capable of simultaneous carriage of a high-performance electro-optics turret and highly capable surveillance radar such as the Selex Galileo Sea Spray 5000 series.
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems]()
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
-
![Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences]()
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
-
![Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way]()
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
-
![AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems]()
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
-
![DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract]()
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
-
![Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems]()
Ukraine takes delivery of new indigenous C-UAS systems
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.
