FLIR introduces new UAS payload family
FLIR Systems has developed a new family of payloads for the SkyRanger R70 and R80D SkyRaider UAS, the company announced on 19 November.
Called the StormCaster family of UAS payloads, the line includes two multi-sensor products: StormCaster-T, which delivers continuous zoom and longwave infrared imaging; and StormCaster-L, which provides ultra-low-light imaging, tracking and mapping.
The new products offer a 7X improvement in line-of-sight stabilisation, enhanced range of motion and greater geolocation accuracy in a rugged package.
The family is interoperable to allow users to quickly and easily change modules on the FLIR SkyRanger and SkyRaider UAS systems.
David Ray, president of the government and defense business unit at FLIR, said: ‘StormCaster-L and -T are just the beginning of this new line of advanced, high-performance payloads for our small, tactical UAS platforms. For mission needs ranging from force protection and border security to clandestine operations, FLIR StormCaster will provide heightened situational awareness, bolstered by our aircraft’s onboard, real-time artificial intelligence.’
The StormCaster-T features a FLIR Boson thermal camera to support detection, recognition, identification and target acquisition day or night, with maximum range and time-on-station. Its continuous zoom lens, with a 75mm maximum focal length, permits long distance ISR while providing clear, actionable imagery. The StormCaster-L ultra-low-light imaging camera offers advanced ISR and mapping performance during twilight and nighttime operations. Key features include 4K recorded video and full-colour night vision in low-light conditions.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Cummings Aerospace showcases Hellhound loitering munition designed for US Army’s LASSO programme (video)
Cummings Aerospace presented its turbojet-powered Hellhound loitering munition at SOF Week 2025, offering a man-portable solution aligned with the US Army’s LASSO requirements.
-
SOF Week 2025: PDW unveils attritable FPV drone for SOF operations at scale
PDW has revealed its Attritable Multirotor First Person View drone at SOF Week 2025, offering special operations forces a low-cost, rapidly deployable platform for strike and ISR missions, inspired by battlefield lessons from Ukraine.
-
SOF Week 2025: Teledyne FLIR white paper provides guidance on reusable loitering munitions
Teledyne FLIR is highlighting the emerging requirements for 'recoverable and re-usable' loitering munitions across the contemporary operating environment during this week’s SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida.
-
SOF Week 2025: Kraken Technology group debuts K3 Scout USV in North America
High-performance maritime industry player Kraken Technology Group, based in the UK, has used the SOF Week conference in Tampa, Florida this week to debut its K3 Scout uncrewed surface vessel (USV) to the North American market.
-
Palladyne AI and Red Cat to demonstrate capabilities for autonomous drone swarms to the US military
Red Cat and Palladyne AI recently conducted a cross-platform collaborative flight involving three diverse heterogeneous drones.
-
Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures
The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.