LUNA TUAS reaches operational milestone
EMT has announced that its LUNA tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) has completed its 50th flight sortie with an EASA-certified Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder in Afghanistan.
The new ADS-B transponder ensures electronic visibility to the air traffic controller, enabling better coordination of unmanned and manned aircraft in air space.
The LUNA UAV has been in operation in Afghanistan with the German Army since 2003. According to EMT, the system’s growing capabilities, including IMINT, SAR, SIGINT, and CBRN, are leading to further international operations.
LUNA is a small-operational footprint, runway-independent TUAS. It can deploy a wide range of payloads such as EO/IR, SAR, SIGINT or CBRN sensors, and relay payloads.
The LUNA can stay aloft for 8 hours and is designed for flexibility to respond to fast-changing mission requirements. The close and organic integration of the runway-independent LUNA TUAS in army units provides near real-time availability of ISR results at the tactical level.
Sascha Lange, business development manager for EMT, said: ‘This is a big leap forward for us and our customer, the Bundeswehr. With the addition of the ADS-B transponder, flight operations of the proven LUNA tactical UAS are now even safer, because this option eases airspace integration.'
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Royal Navy selects Animal Dynamics parafoil UAV for second phase of Heavy Lift challenge]()
Royal Navy selects Animal Dynamics parafoil UAV for second phase of Heavy Lift challenge
With a payload capacity of 135kg, the Stork STM can fly up to 400km using a parafoil wing to generate lift.
-
![IDEX 2023: Autel Robotics showcases DJI challenger drone]()
IDEX 2023: Autel Robotics showcases DJI challenger drone
Autel Robotics presented its Dragonfish series and EVO Max 4T at IDEX 2023, hoping to challenge DJI's market dominance with the latter.
-
![BAE and Innovaero debut Strix, Australia’s first domestic armed VTOL UAS]()
BAE and Innovaero debut Strix, Australia’s first domestic armed VTOL UAS
At the Avalon Airshow, BAE Systems Australia debuted Australia’s first domestically designed, built and armed VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) uncrewed air system (UAS), the Strix.
-
![Enhanced autopilots pave way to autonomy for US multi-engine jets]()
Enhanced autopilots pave way to autonomy for US multi-engine jets
The USAF has commissioned a year-long autonomy study by Reliable Robotics for large jet aircraft.
-
![IDEX 2023: Black Eagle UAV gets miniature airborne radar]()
IDEX 2023: Black Eagle UAV gets miniature airborne radar
Integrating the radar into the Steadicopter UAS allows the rotorcraft to spot potential maritime threats.
