Selex ES UAVs ready for Italian Army deliveries
Two Selex ES mini and micro unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), ASIO-B and SPYBALL-B, are poised for delivery to the Italian Army following the completion of factory acceptance tests. The company made the announcement from the Farnborough International Airshow.
ASIO-B and SPYBALL-B are being delivered to the Italian Army for its Forza NEC modernisation programme. By gathering, processing and transmitting images and geo-referenced data in a reliable and precise fashion, they will give commanders better awareness of their surroundings, and help protect troops and vehicles on convoy, in dangerous urban areas, and in forward operating bases.
ASIO-B is a fully automatic electrical vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) mini UAV for surveillance, monitoring and intelligence (ISR) roles. It is a fan-ducted system so that it can be flown in closed spaces and in people’s presence.
With a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of slightly over 8kg, the system has 30 minute endurance, radio link of over 10km in the line of sight (LOS) and an operative range of 7km. It can carry colour or infrared cameras which are software and mechanically pan and tilt stabilised. It is completely back packable and can be deployed and operated from a moving truck.
SPYBALL-B is a fun-ducted mini electrical VTOL system that can be packed and man-carried with a hovering capability specifically designed for close or over the hill surveillance and army protection, particularly in urban areas. The system has a MTOW of 2kg, an endurance of 25 minutes, 5km LOS radio Link and operative range. The system can also carry stabilised colour or infrared cameras.
According to the company, Selex ES’s CREX-B fixed wing micro electrical UAV will also begin deliveries to the Italian Army shortly.
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