AAI's Shadow Unmanned Aircraft takes flight with new extended wing design
AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems announced today that it has begun deliveries of the new extended wing kit for its Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TUAS).
The US Army has ordered 100 extended wing kits for distribution to Army and Marine Corps units.
With this enhancement, the Shadow aircraft’s wingspan increases from 14 to 20 feet. This additional wingspan increases the size of the aircraft’s fuel cell, and also increases aircraft endurance from six to nearly nine hours.
“At nearly 500,000 total flight hours, Shadow TUAS are flying around the clock for our customers in the field,” says Division Vice President, Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Russell Walker of AAI. “We are constantly on the lookout for ways that the system can provide even greater overall value. Increasing mission endurance will reduce the number of mission launches and recoveries in a given day, likewise reducing workload for our warfighters in the field.”
The redesigned wing also includes hard points for external stores. This modification dramatically increases the Shadow aircraft’s mission flexibility in theater, allowing it to not only gather and disseminate electro-optical and infrared full-motion video and metadata with its standard payload, but also to carry additional payloads.
AAI will use a fleet update program, which officially kicked off at the beginning of February, to install additional enhancements to the aircraft. Wiring harness and software modifications are designed to enable the Shadow aircraft to accept the new laser designator payload, another new capability being fielded to Shadow systems. In addition, a new electronic fuel injection engine and fuel system will increase the system’s reliability under the wide range of environmental conditions encountered by fielded Shadow systems.
“The Shadow aircraft fleet update program enables us to rapidly transition all of these technologies to the field,” says Vice President Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid of AAI. “Our team is dedicated to providing a seamless user experience, as well as continuous growth of Shadow system capabilities. AAI’s years of experience as the designer, manufacturer and systems integrator for Shadow TUAS, as well as our system maintenance, logistics and operations expertise, give us an unmatched ability to deliver a total value solution for our customers.”
Source: AAI Corporation
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
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
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
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
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
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
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.