Italian MQ-9 to get reconnaissance pod
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) will integrate the RecceLite imagery reconnaissance pod onto a Predator B/MQ-9 UAS from the Italian Air Force, the company announced on 2 June.
Rafael manufacturers RecceLite, which is already in use on-board several manned Italian military aircraft.
The RecceLite pod's wide-area coverage capabilities aim to complement the Multi-spectral Targeting System-B (MTS-B) Full-motion Video (FMV) system, nose-mounted on the Predator B. It provides high-resolution, wide field-of-regard, geo-referenced, visible and infrared digital still images. These images can then be post-processed in the Ground Exploitation Station to form a mosaic.
At present, a team comprising of GA-ASI, Rafael and Italian Air Force members are testing the integration hardware that will add this capability to the Italian Predator B. The team will carry out operational and development tests under air force leadership at the Amendola Air Base in early 2017. The system fielding will begin shortly afterwards.
Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI, said: 'Integrating this imagery enhancement capability onto Predator B is a significant milestone and could lead to similar efforts with other NATO customers that operate MQ-9.
'Predator B’s open payload architecture enables users to integrate their own payloads easily, with minimal to no software changes required.'
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
![Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system]()
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system
Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
-
![AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments]()
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments
Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.
-
![US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS]()
US Army accelerates acquisition and field of company-level sUAS
The service has been using a Directed Requirement (DR) approach to speed up the deployment of a Medium Range Reconnaissance capability.
-
![AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024]()
AeroVironment to display eVTOL P550 at AUSA 2024
AeroVironment’s portfolio will grow thanks to the eVTOL P550 aimed at battalion-level tactical forces.
-
![Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards]()
Australia’s air force aims its UAV fleet northwards
The Royal Australian Air Force is advancing its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities across three key programmes as it works with the likes of Boeing and Northrop Grumman to reshape Australia’s defence strategy.
-
![FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official]()
FTUAS competitor trials were “very successful”, says US Army official
Prototypes from Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems recently passed through MOSA conformance trials and flight tests.
