Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

Puma AE heads for Antarctica

3rd February 2016 - 12:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

RSS

AeroVironment and a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have been contracted to provide the US Coast Guard ice breaker Polar Star with a RQ-20A Puma AE unmanned aircraft system.

The system will be supplied with a flight crew to take part in Operation Deep Freeze, the military component of the larger, civilian-managed US Antarctic programme to re-supply the National Science Foundation's McMurdo Station.

The Operation Deep Freeze joint team departed Hobart, Tasmania, Australia, on 30 December and reached McMurdo Station on 18 January.

During Operation Deep Freeze, AeroVironment personnel are employing Puma’s new Autonomous Recovery System to capture the UAS in a portable net on its return to the ship. Puma also can be recovered from the sea as a result of its waterproof design.

Kirk Flittie, vice president and general manager of Unmanned Aircraft Systems, AeroVironment, said: ‘Operation Deep Freeze is one of the US military's most complex peacetime missions due to the harsh Antarctic environment.

‘AeroVironment's Puma AE is delivering vital advanced scouting intelligence to help the coast guard's Polar Star conduct ice-breaking operations in the treacherous waters of the Ross Sea more safely and efficiently without putting pilots and costly helicopters at risk.’

Puma AE

Author

Shephard News Team

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News and Defence Insight …

Read full bio

More from Uncrewed Vehicles

Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms

The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025

India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market

The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
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

Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.