Thales introduces Spy Ranger 550

Thales has expanded its mini UAS range with the introduction of the Spy Ranger 550.

Designed to boost the intelligence gathering capabilities of units deployed in demanding conditions, the Spy Ranger 500 can be set up in under 20 minutes to conduct a wide range of missions, including support for combined arms battlegroup manoeuvres, support for offensive reconnaissance missions and operations against isolated pockets of resistance, threat characterisation, persistent surveillance of areas of interest, and surveillance of borders or linear critical infrastructure.

With an electronic engine for stealthy operation, the system carries an optronic payload including day/near infrared channel and an HD infrared channel. Advanced image processing algorithms based on existing Thales products ensure that the large volumes of data gathered can be exploited more easily.

Thales’s secure high-rate datalink transmits images from the Spy Ranger 550 in real time. With five hours of autonomy, a range of 50km and the ability to operate two air vehicles at the same time from the ground segment, the system was designed for maximum robustness and ease of use.

The Spy C command and control software offers an intuitive user interface and a range of functionalities to simplify mission preparation and operation.