Arcturus T-20 UAV flies with COMINT/DF payload

6th November 2013 - 09:18 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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The Arcturus T-20 Tier II unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been integrated with a communication intelligence and direction finding (COMINT/DF) payload capable of detecting, intercepting, direction finding and geo-locating signals of interest. The payload, called the Europa-S Signal Intercept and Geolocation System, was supplied by WGS Systems.

According to the T-20 manufacturer, Arcturus UAV, the Europa-S adds significant signal collection capability to the T-20 UAV, expanding the UAV’s mission envelope.

Europa-S has a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of over TRL 8, and utilises system components fielded since 2010. The system operates at frequencies of 30 MHz - 3 GHz, with a wide signal intercept frequency range, and can interface with other payloads on the T-20, such as EO/IR and SAR.

The T-20 payload consists of a gimbal sensor that provides full motion video from daylight and infrared cameras. Video is transmitted by secure data link to mission commanders on the ground. An onboard GPS autopilot with waypoint navigation accepts multiple flight plans from the Ground Control Station, allowing the T-20 to fly missions up to 16 hours and return to a specified location autonomously.