US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
SWISS UAV GmbH, a Switzerland based UAV manufacture, delivered the first VTOL UAV of a series of systems designed for pipeline monitoring.
Fitted with a daylight gyro stabilized camera payload along with additional sensors, the VTOL UAV is capable of performing monitoring work with real-time live video within a range of 60km and up to 2 ½ hours flight duration.
The aircraft has two independent radio links to secure the communication with the ground control station. The operator is able to interrupt the current flight plan and hover or change the co-ordinates and get closer if they recognise damage on the pipeline. The following few months of extensive flight tests will prove the system is capable of fulfilling the given tasks ahead.
The system itself is based on the NEO S-300 VTOL UAV system, powered by a 14kw turbine. The MTOW of the NEO S-300 is 75kg, including 32litres of Jet A1 or similar fuel.
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
Tekever has manufactured the AR3, AR4 and AR5 UAS with all systems sharing common electronics and software architecture, which has enabled the reuse of ground segment elements within the new ARX UAS.
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.
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.
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.
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.