No skylarking as Elbit demonstrates new UAS
Skylark 3 Hybrid high resolution, gimbaled and stabilised dual EO/IR payload system provides advanced mission capabilities to facilitate a wide range of operations. (Photo: Elbit Systems)
Elbit Systems demonstrates its dual-propulsion Skylark 3 Hybrid system at RAF Upavon on Wiltshire.
Elbit Systems has successfully demonstrated its Skylark 3 Hybrid UAS in support of the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office’s future concept development programme.
Unveiled in February 2022 at the Singapore Airshow, the Skylark 3 Hybrid joins Elbit’s family of UAS and its predecessor, the Skylark 3.
According to the company, not only does the system’s hybrid propulsion improve mission reliability, redundancy, safety and performance, but it also may contribute to the UK MoD’s net-zero ambition.
The Skylark 3 is a field-deployed tactical ISTAR UAS, optimised for either dismounted or vehicle-based operations. It has a 4.7m wingspan, 48kg MTOW, 120km range and a service ceiling of 12,000ft.
Its two separate propulsion systems, electric and internal combustion, combine to deliver an endurance of up to 18h.
The system uses thrust from both engines to launch and reach a certain altitude, after which only one engine is required for continued flight.
Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK, said the tests represented the company’s efforts to ‘provide an environmentally responsible and energy-efficient method of maximising the Skylark’s endurance’.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Will tomorrow’s US Air Force fleet be pilotless?]()
Will tomorrow’s US Air Force fleet be pilotless?
The US Air Force has been showing an increasing interest in adding trusted uncrewed capabilities to its aircraft inventory.
-
![Boeing delivers last Apache AH-64E Guardian attack helicopter to British Army]()
Boeing delivers last Apache AH-64E Guardian attack helicopter to British Army
The helicopters have been remanufactured using common parts from the British Army AH-64 MkI fleet with the 17 not being converted going for a range of uses such as engineering, ground handling and other training.
-
![Initial flight testing completed of LRASM anti-ship missile on F-35]()
Initial flight testing completed of LRASM anti-ship missile on F-35
The AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM) is a precision-guided, anti-ship standoff missile based on the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile-Extended Range (JASSM-ER). It is being developed to meet US requirements and in 2020 the sale was approved to Australia of up to 200 LRASM for an estimated cost of US$990 million.
-
![Aselsan conducts live-fire test of Gözde guidance kit with F-16 aircraft]()
Aselsan conducts live-fire test of Gözde guidance kit with F-16 aircraft
The test is a first for the kit, developed via a partnership between Aselsan and Tübitak SAGE, to hit a high-speed moving target.
