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13 Feb 25. M1 Support Services (M1) has been approved for membership in the Vertical Lift Consortium (VLC), managed by Advanced Technology International. The Vertical Lift Consortium is a collaboration of traditional and nontraditional government contractors, small and large businesses, for-profit and not-for-profit entities, academic organizations, and their affiliated organizations to work collaboratively with the U.S. Government to develop and transition innovative vertical lift technologies to rapidly and affordably meet warfighter needs.
“The VLC is an important organization to foster collaboration between industry and the government,” said George Krivo, Chairman and CEO of M1 Support Services. “We look forward to working with the VLC to bring a full range of aviation solutions to U.S. Government agencies.”
Solicitations are issued to members of the VLC by the Aviation & Missile Technology Consortium (AMTC) using “Other Transaction Authority” (OTA), a streamlined vehicle that brings innovative research and prototypes, and other capabilities from industry to the Federal Government. OTAs enable fast acquisition of critically needed capabilities.
About M1 Support Services
M1 Support Services is a mission-first, force-multiplying partner solely dedicated to providing aviation solutions to the U.S. Department of Defense, Allies, and partner nations. Our complete spectrum of services includes Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), flight operations, training, logistics, aircraft modifications and upgrades. The only aviation solutions company of scale focused solely on aviation maintenance excellence, we execute large, complex programs of National and International significance, supporting the most advanced military aircraft in the world. Learn more at www.M1services.com. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
13 Feb 25. AeroVironment (AV), the leader in autonomous and intelligent multi-domain systems, today announced the establishment of FreedomWerx, a state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City, Utah. As part of AV’s distributed production strategy, FreedomWerx strengthens the company’s capacity to ensure uninterrupted delivery of precision-strike autonomous systems to government and defense partners. Unlike single-location, hyperscale facilities, AV’s distributed production model enhances national security by ensuring resilient manufacturing and sustained delivery of mission-critical autonomous systems. By maintaining multiple, strategically located production sites, AV mitigates risks from natural disasters, security threats, and geopolitical disruptions—fortifying supply chain resilience and operational readiness. This approach positions AV as a more reliable and sustainable defense partner, ensuring continuous support to the DoD and allied forces. Located just minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, the facility offers strategic access to key transportation hubs, optimizing logistics and supply chain efficiencies. AV anticipates creating more than 500 high-paying jobs, driving economic growth, and advancing Utah’s position as a leader in defense innovation and advanced manufacturing. This announcement results from a collaborative effort between AV, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity (GOEO), Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA), and the Economic Development Corporation of Utah (EDCUtah).
“AeroVironment’s autonomous precision-strike systems have revolutionized modern warfare, providing warfighters with the ability to neutralize high-value threats with unprecedented accuracy while minimizing risk to friendly forces,” said Wahid Nawabi, AV chairman, president, and chief executive officer. “This facility represents a critical step in our mission to expand manufacturing capacity, ensuring our forces have the technological superiority needed to deter and, if necessary, decisively defeat adversaries.”
“Utah is the ideal hub for advancing aerospace and defense technologies that are vital to national security and economic growth,” said Ryan Starks, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity. “Strategic investments like this create jobs, accelerate innovation, and reinforce Utah’s leadership in aerospace and defense. Supporting companies like AV strengthens our state’s economy while driving cutting-edge advancements in the industry.”
“We’re thrilled to welcome AV to Salt Lake City,” said Scott Cuthbertson, president of EDCUtah. “As a leading defense technology company, AV’s expansion will not only bring high-quality jobs to the region but will also further solidify Salt Lake City’s position as a premier hub for advanced manufacturing and defense innovation. We look forward to the long-term contributions they will make to our economy and community.”
“AV’s expansion is a testament to Utah’s growing leadership in advanced manufacturing and aerospace innovation,” said Ben Hart, executive director of UIPA. “By leveraging our strategic infrastructure and economic incentives, we are helping to create high-quality jobs and support a cutting-edge industry that is critical to both national security and technological advancement. We look forward to seeing AV thrive in Salt Lake City and contribute to Utah’s dynamic economy.”
AV anticipates FreedomWerx will begin production in the second half of 2025, further scaling the company’s manufacturing capacity to meet evolving defense requirements. This expansion is a strategic investment in next-generation autonomous capabilities, ensuring U.S. and allied forces remain equipped with advanced, precision-strike solutions built for modern conflicts. As the global threat landscape shifts, AV remains committed to unmatched innovation, agility, and battlefield superiority. (Source: BUSINESS WIRE)
14 Feb 25. Indonesia, Türkiye sign MOU to produce Bayraktar, Akinci UAVs. Jakarta has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Turkish defence company Baykar that paves the way for the latter to manufacture its range of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Indonesia. The MOU is one of 13 agreements that were inked between Indonesia and Türkiye in Bogor on the sidelines of a 12 February meeting between the leaders of the two countries, reads a statement released by the Indonesian president’s office on the same day. In addition to the MOU signed with Baykar, Indonesia and Türkiye also inked a general agreement to co-operate more closely in defence technology development. The 11 other MOUs pertain to matters in other sectors including education, media, and agriculture. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with his Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto at the presidential palace in Bogor as part of the former’s series of diplomatic visits to the region. The MOU to manufacture UAVs was signed with Indonesian defence holding company Republikorp, which owns a portfolio of defence-related companies including an aeronautics firm. Janes has since verified with the media and information bureau of the Indonesian president’s office on 13 February that no contracts for the UAVs were signed at the event. Indonesia is known to have been eyeing the Bayraktar TB2 and Akinci lines of strike-capable UAVs since at least 2022. A source who spoke to Janes at the Indo Defence 2022 exhibition confirmed that talks between Indonesian officials and Baykar had taken place to discuss possible procurements of the TB2 and Akinci UAVs. (Source: Janes)
14 Feb 25. Russia steps up long-term domestic UAV production says Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service. The Russian government is advancing large-scale adoption of “drone technology” and its integration into the armed forces, the Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service said in a report published on 12 February. The domestic production of unmanned systems is seen as a “likely top priority for Russia”, particularly after the January 2024 launch of the National Project Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Bezpilotnye Aviatsionye Sistemy: BAS), according to the report. More than 400 Russian companies are working to create facilities for research, development, and manufacturing of unmanned systems as part of the project, according to a statement made by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 28 January 2025. At the time, he said 48 centres for large-scale production are planned to be set up within the next 10 years. “There are already 15 centres, but we can do better.” Russia plans to allocate on average EUR1 billion (USD1.03 billion) annually to this project, according to the Estonian intelligence report. The integration of private manufacturers of unmanned systems is part of the Kremlin’s plan to control the production and technology. The Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service also believes that this is part of Russia’s wider effort to reduce its dependency on foreign technologies and components. (Source: Janes)
13 Feb 25. Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace Sign MoU at Aero India 2025 to Establish Indian UAV Centre of Excellence. Tata Elxsi, a global supplier of design and technology services, and Garuda Aerospace, a pioneering UAV manufacturer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Aero India 2025, Asia’s biggest Airshow, being held from February 10th –14th. This partnership establishes a dedicated UAV design, engineering, and certification center to develop indigenous drone technologies specifically for Indian defence applications, along with agriculture, and smart cities, supporting the ‘Make in India’ initiative. Tata Elxsi and Garuda Aerospace are showcasing prototypes, designs, and operational UAVs at Aero India 2025. In addition, a demonstration of indigenised UAV components highlights India’s advancements in autonomous UAV technologies. Tata Elxsi will lead the design, development, testing, and certification of UAV subsystems, leveraging its expertise in avionics, miniaturisation, ground control systems, secured communication, and energy optimisation. Its proven capabilities in avionics certification, including compliance with DO-254 and DO-178C standards, will ensure regulatory adherence and safety. By integrating its proprietary autonomous and digital twin technologies, AI-driven solutions, and advanced propulsion and battery management systems, Tata Elxsi will enhance UAV efficiency, reduce energy consumption by 20%, cut costs by over 20%, and accelerate development cycles by up to six months. Garuda Aerospace, as an OEM with a strong presence in defence and other sectors, will lead business acquisition and delivery. The drones developed under this initiative will cater to multiple applications such as payload management, goods delivery, precision agriculture, and ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) missions, addressing critical operational needs across industries. The Indian defence forces and Border Security Force are expected to be key beneficiaries of this collaboration, gaining access to cutting-edge UAV capabilities. Additionally, this initiative will create new employment opportunities and contribute to workforce development in the aerospace sector.
Jayaraj Rajapandian, Head of Aerospace, Rail & Off-highway, Tata Elxsi, stated: “Our partnership with Garuda Aerospace marks a major milestone in India’s aerospace ambitions. By driving AI-powered UAV advancements, we are strengthening India’s defence ecosystem and reinforcing the country’s self-reliance in aerospace technologies.”
Agnishwar Jayaprakash, Founder & CEO of Garuda Aerospace, said, “This strategic collaboration with Tata Elxsi reinforces our commitment to indigenous innovation. Over the next three to five years, we will focus on fully indigenised production and supply of airborne and ground systems, strengthening India’s leadership in UAV technology.” (Source: UAS VISION)
13 Feb 25. Iran Unveils Hadid 110: Jet-Powered Suicide Drone Capable of Underwater Strikes. Iran has recently unveiled the Hadid 110, a jet-powered suicide drone capable of striking enemy targets from beneath the sea. Developed by the Ministry of Defense, the drone was showcased at the Eghtedar 1403 defense exhibition, where Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reviewed Iran’s latest military advancements. The Hadid 110 features a triangular design and a jet engine, suggesting greater speed and sophistication than Iran’s previous Shahed-series drones. While its full capabilities remain undisclosed, reports indicate it is equipped with Artificial Intelligence to locate and engage targets. Military experts say this technology could allow Iran to strike from concealed underwater positions, making it difficult for traditional air defense systems to intercept. The launch of the Hadid 110 comes after Iran unveiled the Shahid Bagheri, the country’s first naval vessel designed to launch drones and helicopters. Iran has unveiled its latest weaponry as it braces for rising tensions with Israel and the United States under President Donald Trump. Following Trump’s return and the revival of his “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran, Iran has ramped up its military displays. In recent days, its armed forces have conducted large-scale nationwide exercises and revealed underground military bases. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
12 Feb 25. Patria Introduces New Drone Range. Patria expanded its unmanned systems offering in the summer of 2024 by acquiring company Nordic Drones, a Finnish leading drone pilot trainer and manufacturer of drones designed for professional use. The acquisition is a milestone in promoting the export opportunities of the Finnish defense industry. Patria has extensive experience and strong expertise in unmanned systems (UAS) and aviation. From design to maintenance and training, Patria’s expertise is at the forefront of Finnish drone technology development.
Patria Drones
Due to acquisition, Patria Drones continue to be a significant part of the company’s portfolio, showcasing its innovation and excellence in the field of UAS with three state-of-the-art products: Patria SKY, Patria ONE and Patria GEO.
Patria SKY – Long Range Drone for Multipurpose Use
Patria SKY is a multi-mission long-range UAV system, designed in collaboration with professional security industry operators to meet the demanding needs of high-level security authorities. The advanced drone system has undergone rigorous manufacturing and maintenance inspections, receiving approval from Finnish authorities. Patria SKY is built to withstand challenging weather conditions.
Patria ONE – Data and Results from the Sky
Patria ONE is a versatile UAV with modular components and high safety standards. The modular design of Patria ONE allows for swappable radios, fiber optic control, swappable payloads (including explosives), swappable motor arms, and tether readiness. This flexibility makes it suitable for a wide range of missions. The UAV also features a three-step safety system for operator safety when handling explosive payloads. Patria ONE is easy to transport and can be fitted into a tactical backpack, making it highly portable.
Patria GEO – The BestPerformance in its Class
The Patria GEO drone is designed for terrain mapping. With a flight time of up to 74 minutes, it can map over 100 hectares in a single flight, making it a quick and easy solution to visualize, measure, and model different kinds of targets.The Patria GEO drone is equipped with a 42Mpx camera, providing a ground sample distance size of 2 centimeters when imaging at 150 meters.
Patria Strongly Involved in Co-Development
A national drone strategy has been prepared and published in Finland, with the core objective of ensuring the utilization of Finnish technological expertise to create new business opportunities and ensure societal security.
Patria contributes to achieving the goals of the national drone strategy by bringing together the strengths of innovative Finnish actors in the eALLIACE project and promoting European drone development through the ACTUS project.
Patria contributes to achieving strategic goals by bringing together the strengths of Finnish civil and defense sector actors in its eALLIANCE project. Patria also promotes European drone development and regulatory advancement through the ACTUS project (“Advanced capabilities & Certification for Tactical UAV Systems”) funded by the European Defence Fund. (Source: UAS VISION)
12 Feb 25. Finland’s Drone Strategy Announced – Best Country for Drone Business. Drones and the rapid development of related technologies will have a revolutionary impact on society as a whole. The strategy drawn up by key players in the Finnish drone industry defines the guidelines for the near future of Finnish drone operations from the perspective of national defense and accelerating economic growth. The strategy sets clear goals and guidelines on which the Finnish drone industry can build sustainable growth and international success. According to the strategy’s goals, in 2030:
– Finnish drone companies are among the world’s top companies,
– Finland is a good place to start a drone company,
– Finland has a low-threshold innovation environment for the development of drones,
– Finland is an interesting country for drone technology investments and
– Drone technology is widely used in Finland to enhance the efficiency of operations in various sectors.
The strategy describes development needs and principles for five different areas in order to achieve the goals.
The strategy project was initiated by MP Jarno Limnéll . The working group invited the country’s best experts and took into account the perspectives of business, authorities, science and research. The Defence and Aerospace Industry Association (PIA) facilitated the strategy work.
“Finland has a huge amount of drone-related expertise and the drone industry is a very strong growing sector globally. It creates an excellent opportunity to create economic growth in Finland,” says MP Limnéll.
“Finland’s strengths are agility and the ability to respond to rapidly changing challenges – characteristics that are crucial in the global technology competition,” says Lauri Kangas , CTO of the Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries Association (PIA), which delivered the strategy , and continues, “drone technologies are key technologies of the future, on which significant innovations can be built.”
The strategy was published in the Citizens’ Information section of the Parliament’s Small Parliament on Monday, February 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Speakers at the event included MP Jarno Limnéll , former Director of Research at the Defence Forces Jyri Kosola , Research Professor Eija Honkavaara of the National Land Survey of Finland , and Patria CEO Esa Rautalinko. (Source: UAS VISION/Finnish Defense and Aerospace Industries PIA)
11 Feb 25. Heven Drones, a company specializing in hydrogen-powered unmanned aerial systems designed for complex operational environments, is introducing the Raider. This new platform is tailored to provide extended endurance, versatile payload options, and field-ready modularity, addressing critical challenges faced by modern operators.
“The launch of the Raider reflects our mission to enhance operational capabilities for a broad range of missions,” said Benzion Levinson, Founder & CEO of Heven Drones. “The platform’s ability to deliver long endurance with a high payload capacity, combined with hydrogen-powered sustainability, opens new possibilities for reconnaissance, tactical operations, and logistics. The H2D family of drones have already been validated in operational environments, thus, the Raider is designed to provide reliable performance while offering operators the adaptability needed in today’s dynamic scenarios.”
The Raider is designed to address multiple mission requirements, offering a hydrogen-powered endurance exceeding 10 hours and supporting payloads up to 50 lbs (23 kg). The platform is equipped with a modular twin-fuselage design that enhances aerodynamic stability and allows for quick adaptation to various operational profiles without the need for extensive recalibration. Features such as vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) for deployment in diverse environments, fast assembly within 15 minutes, and a modular battery system for enhanced hovering capabilities further ensure its usability in the field. In addition to its performance metrics, the Raider offers near-silent operation with ultra-low thermal radiation and acoustic signatures, enabling discreet use in sensitive missions. Its ability to monitor large areas with multi-platform, multi-sensor configurations make it especially valuable for persistent surveillance, maintaining force protection. On-site hydrogen generation provides energy independence, ensuring continuous operations in remote or resource-limited environments. The Raider meets the needs of diverse mission profiles, from tactical ISR and contested logistics via multi sensor multi-platform CONOP to air-launch effects. Its engineering emphasizes efficiency and reliability, with over 1,000 operational hours between overhauls, reducing maintenance demands and improving operational readiness.
17 Feb 25. BlueBird Aero Systems unveiled its latest breakthrough: A field-proven operational Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) UAV, powered by a new PEM Fuel-Cell technology developed over the past several years by H3 Dynamics in the USA. This cutting-edge innovation redefines operational capabilities by delivering an electric VTOL UAV with unprecedented flight endurance of over 6 hours, unmatched reliability and a sustainable energy solution. The WanderB-VTOL is an electric VTOL Mini-UAS, designed for rapid deployment and operation in any environment. Combat-proven, it can effectively function in GPS-denied and spoofed conditions. The WanderB-VTOL is a mature and proven products, in service with over 25 global customers, with more than 350 platforms delivered to date. The hydrogen fuel-cell powered WanderB-VTOL has accumulated a considerable number of flight-hours that validated the system’s exceptional performance, including continuous operation for over six hours. BlueBird Aero Systems’ rigorous testing has demonstrated reliability and mission readiness. The fuel-cell enables up to 1000 operational hours (until maintenance round) and requires easy maintenance.
Bluebird Customer’s will be able to enjoy this extended endurance by upgrading their WanderB-VTOL systems with the new Fuel-Cell power source.
The WanderB-VTOL specifications:
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): 18 kg
Flight Endurance: Over 6 hours
Flight Ceiling: 16,000 feet
Payload Capacity: 1.5 kg
Operational Advantages of Fuel-Cells vs. Lithium Batteries
The fuel-cell provides much higher energy-density than Lithium Batteries, allowing the UAV to stay on target for significantly longer durations at the same weight, with significant operational advantages: reducing takeoffs and landings cycles to reduced strain and maintenance cost, longer and more efficient missions, less “dead” time on the way to the target’s area. For example, a mapping flight powered by a fuel-cell can cover a much larger area.
“This is a significant technological milestone for the tactical UAV industry” said Avi Elraz, VP R&D and Engineering. –Business Sensitive – Proprietary Information of Bluebird Aero Systems Ltd Department: – Reference: PR-20250207-WBFC-01 System: WanderB-FC Version: 01 Subject: PR
A Smarter, Greener Energy Solution
At the core of this revolutionary system lies a hybrid solution, combining a hydrogen fuel-cell with a backup battery. The fuel-cell provides a continuous, clean power source, generating electricity through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen, with water as the only byproduct. The backup battery ensures additional energy when needed and acts as an emergency source of energy.
BlueBird’s solution redefines sustainability in UAV operations, ensuring that environmental responsibility meets high performance. This breakthrough not only offers a significant leap in energy efficiency and mission longevity but also sets a new standard in eco-friendly innovation.
“Bluebird is already leading the VTOL UAV market with battle-proven, reliable and capable UAVs, and now, with WanderB-VTOL powered by Fuel-Cell, even more capable with unmatched endurance for a more effective missions” said Ronen Nadir, Founder and CEO of BlueBird Aero Systems.
With its high performance, high availability and comprehensive customer-support, BlueBird’s fuel-cell powered WanderB-VTOL is tailored to meet the demands of both military and civilian markets.
About BlueBird Aero Systems:
BlueBird Aero Systems is a dominant player in the tactical unmanned aerial systems industry, specializing in the design and production of mini and small tactical UAS with Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) capabilities as well as Loitering Munition Systems. Bluebird’s advanced solutions are combat proven since 2006, ideal for supporting open and urban scenarios and suitable for military ISTAR, peacekeeping, border security, disaster management, law enforcement, S&R, and commercial applications.
07 Feb 25. German Armed Forces Drone Flies Through European Upper Airspace for the 1st Time. On Monday, 3 February, a German drone with a wingspan of 26 metres belonging to the German Armed Forces flew from Germany to the Netherlands and back. The flight was the first in Europe to take place in upper airspace where commercial aircraft fly. The European MALE RPAS project is exploring the integration of uncrewed flights on overall air traffic, with the goal of ensuring safe and efficient coexistence between manned and unmanned aircraft. A German Heron TP drone of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) has flown from Schleswig in Germany to Leeuwarden in the Netherlands and back again. The flight was the first in Europe to take place in upper airspace. It was conducted as part of a research project by the European Defence Agency (EDA), which aims to help enable remotely-piloted, unmanned aircraft to be guided through shared airspace when required. Alongside the Institute of Flight Guidance at the German Aerospace Center (Deutsche Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR), which is the primary contractor, participants included the Netherlands Aerospace Centre (Royal NLR) and the German Armed Forces. The German Heron TP is a large unmanned vehicle belonging to the German Air Force. It has a wingspan of 26 metres and can fly for more than 24 hours. The drone took off from Schleswig and made its initial ascent within military airspace. It was then handed over to German civil lower airspace control, Deutsche Flugsicherung (DFS), and EUROCONTROL Maastricht Upper Area Control Center (MUAC). Upper airspace, where commercial aircraft fly, begins at an altitude of 7,500 metres. During the flight, the drone climbed up to 8,500 metres in MUAC airspace. The route followed the German coastline and into Dutch airspace, reaching Leeuwarden before returning to Schleswig.
Considerations for integrating into civil airspace
As part of the ‘Accommodation and Validation of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems’ (MALE RPAS) project, researchers are also investigating how the integration of uncrewed flights into civil airspace effects overall air traffic. Up until now, empirical data on this has been scarce. It is possible, for example, that changes to air traffic control could be necessary or that drones will require additional capabilities. Project participants have agreed on procedures to minimise the disruption on normal air traffic. One challenge is the difference in speeds between aircraft, as the German Heron TP is slower than other aircraft at this altitude.
Preparing for a safe flight
Before the flight, the project team looked at the differences between crewed and uncrewed aviation, conducted risk analyses and evaluated the capabilities of the drone. On this basis, the air traffic control centres were able to assess the feasibility of a safe flight in civil airspace. Former study flights by EDA were limited to the lower airspace only.
A German Heron TP drone of the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) has flown from Schleswig in Germany to Leeuwarden in the Netherlands and back again.
A German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) drone has flown along the German coast into the Netherlands and back again as part of the ‘Accommodation and Validation of Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems’ (MALE RPAS) project. The goal of the project is to enable drones like this to be guided through upper and lower airspace when necessary, considering both military and civil applications (credits photo: Bundeswehr / Lars Pötzsch).
Although the German Heron TP is a military aircraft, the project also considers future civil applications. The results of the project will provide a framework for comparable projects in Europe, highlighting the advantages and challenges of adapting and integrating unmanned platforms and identifying ways to close any safety gaps.
NLR’s role
As part of this project, NLR is focused on convincing Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs) that operating an unmanned aircraft is not a deviation from the norm. NLR has developed a Conops (Concept of Operations) with a general safety case that outlines procedures for safe RPAS operation, including scenarios where the command and control (C2) link is lost. The Conops provides a framework for European ANSPs to understand the risks and benefits associated with RPAS operations and to develop strategies for mitigating potential risks. (Source: ASD Network)
07 Feb 25. Finnish tech firm reveals details of Steel Eagle ER UAV tested in Ukraine. Finnish technology company Insta Group Oy has secured mass-scale production for thousands of its Steel Eagle Extended Range (ER) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) per month, Teemu Sainio, director of communications at Insta, told Janes on 5 February. The UAV system includes a 15 inch carrier for its Insta Steel Burst Payload, relay UAV, and a transmitting ground antenna. The payload includes 3,000 steel or tungsten pellets with an effective aerial coverage of around 2,000 m2. According to Sainio, if the payload is detonated 20m above ground it is capable of 1.5 impacts per square metre. Each pellet is 3.7 mm in diameter and can penetrate around 2 mm of steel at 20 m range. While not revealing the UAV’s range, maximum speed, or what sensors or communication systems it carries, Sainio said its range is “multiples times” that of the previous model. Insta designed the UAV with an unnamed Ukrainian company. It was field tested and approved in Ukraine, said Sainio. “Our unique payload is specifically designed against soft targets on the battlefield. It’s very effective against infantry.” The UAV also has the “possibility of autonomous mission execution”, added Sainio. The Insta Steel Eagle ER UAV is currently available for the Ukrainian market, the company said, with ambitions to expand its offering to Europe and NATO countries. (Source: Janes)
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