With the array of UAVs on show during Eurosatory continuing to grow, the 2014 edition shows a trend of small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) being integrated with ground vehicles, which themselves can often be remotely operated as well. A good example of this is the ELIX family of multirotors which consists of three variants named ELIX, ELIX-XL and ELIX-XXL. Developed by ELI Airborne Solutions, ELIX is the smallest version weighing 2,5kg while the XL and XXL variants have a take-of weight of 4,7 and 5,5kg respectively. The Estonian company has recently joined forces with Swiss company RUAG and one of its multirotors is demonstrated daily at Eurosatory 2014 during the live demonstration of RUAG’s remotely operated EAGLE protected vehicle. Featuring a high degree of autonomy, all ELIX variants are man-portable, very ruggedized vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS capable of conducting surveillance flights including convoy protection. Fitted with an automatic take-off and landing system (ATOLS), ELI Airborne Solutions’ multirotors mostly operate at an operational ceiling of 500 metres. Range of the XXL variant is quoted as 5km while flight time is 50 minutes. Equipped with a gimbal which has a FLIR Systems Tau2 uncooled IR imaging camera and a Sony FCB-EX20DP video camera, the high-end version of the ELIX family has a foldable arm design just like its smaller counterparts and this allows for easy transportation and fast deployment. A recent customer for ELIX is Estonia’s border guard according to company officials. Established in 2003, ELI Airborne Solutions is also showcasing its SWAN III UAV platform. Weighing somewhere between 13 and 17kg , the SWAN III UAS has a range of up to 50km and can loiter for up to 6 hours depending on the flight profile and payload. Operating at a maximum celing of 2,500m , this tactical UAV is powered by a lightweight Honda GX35 engine and is fitted with a dual camera gimbal which can contain a FLIR Systems Tau640 IR camera, Sony FCB-EX20D video camera, or a Panasonic GX1 photo camera. It was revealed that the SWAN III UAV is already in operational service with the Georgian military which uses three systems consisting of two air vehicles each.
Italian company EuroLink Systems has teamed up with C-Astral from Slovenia with regard to marketing its robotic systems. On display at Eurosatory are EuroLink Systems’ COBRA multirotor and the LEOPARDO-B unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). The COBRA is a tethered observation system, which provides stabilised, real-time surveillance. Weighing less than 2kg , the UAV is typically carried on top of a ground vehicle and can be operated while on the move. Operating at a height of appoximately 25m, the system has ATOL capability and is immune to GPS loss or jamming. Fitted with either an IR or daylight camera, the Cobra has been tested on Italian army COUGAR MRAPs and is about to undergo an operational evaluation in Afghanistan, according to information provided by EuroLink Systems. In an effort to distinguish itself from competition, EuroLink Systems is aimimg for synergy with regard to the provision of C-IED systems, hence it also showing its Leopardo-B. This UGV weighs approximately 46kg and typically features a manipulator arm and a PTZ head which can be fitted with a wide range of optronics in its C-IED configuration. According to company information, four units have been used during operations in Afghanistan. LEOPARDO-B is a scalable design which can easily be reconfigured with other mission systems for both wider military as well as civil applications.
Featuring an endurance of up to 3 hours, C-ASTRAL’s BRAMOR blended wing body UAV has a range of up to 30km and operates at a service ceiling of 5,000 metres. Having a take-off weight of 4,2kg , the fully autonomous air vehicle is offered in three versions (gEO, gHY and C4EYE) and can be fitted with C-ASTRAL’s own EYE payload or with EO/IR, multispectral and even hyperspectral cameras. Like ELI Airborne Solutions’ Swan III UAS, C-ASTRAL’s solution uses a parachute in order to land. Thoroughly tested in arctic (and desert) environments, one of C-ASTRAL’s first sales was to Finland where the system is being used by a college which trains future UAS operators.
On display outside at the Eurosatory fairgrounds is the Iveco CENTAURO VBM FRECCIA Explorer vehicle. Fitted with a Oto Melara HITFIST 25mm turret with Janus panoramic sight, Iveco’s latest combat vehicle also features a Selex ES LYRA radar for battlefield surveillance purposes. Most interesting however are its Oto Melara TRP2 UGV and the foldable HORUS UAV which have been integrated with the latter allowing beyond field of view surveillance. With either an operational range of 5km for real time imaging or 10 kilometres for non-real time imaging, the mini UAV has moveable lifting surfaces with a canard configuaration combined with a forward swept wing. Weighing some 2kg , the HORUS UAV is launched from a compressed air launcher installed on the FRECCIA vehicle and has an endurance of up to 1 hours.
Pieter Bastiaans