OVERVIEW
Drones have become a popular and versatile provider of tactical ISR. However, when heavier payloads are required for extended mission endurance and range, fixed-wing UAS are preferred. Integrating multirotor VTOL capability and fixed-wing aircraft design, such as IAI’s WANDERB-VTOL, introduces highly efficient solutions for extended mission performers. As an all-electric platform, the aircraft maintains reduced acoustic, visual, thermal, and radar signatures, and extremely quiet, it uses wings rather than rotors to generate lift. Once airborne, a single pusher propeller propels the aircraft in forward flight.
HIGHLIGHTS
- VTOL – Pin-point vertical takeoff & landing in confined areas anywhere, anytime
- Mission Flexibility – Variety of high-performance sensors, comms & software algorithms for diverse missions
- Covert Operation – Low acoustic, visual, thermal and radar signatures
- Advanced Datalinks – Mission continuity even in COMJAM environment – integrated 3 communication links
- High Reliability – Robust UAV that ensures optimal operations even in harsh environmental conditions
- Easy to Operate – Rapid deployment and turnaround time, Small crew of two, no need for prepared area, Intuitive, mission oriented GCS
Values & Benefits
Its primary mission is Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), providing extended range or “over-the-hill” reconnaissance day and night. It offers rapid, GPS-marked, High-Definition (HD) video, photogrammetric tactical mapping on demand (TMOD), and additional intelligence assets. Missions extending up to 2.5 hours are managed by a fully autonomous flight control and intuitive, mission-oriented ground control system (GCS), reducing crew workload.
Optimizing its ISTAR capabilities with high-performance EO/IR payloads that can total up to 15 kg, and advanced image processing algorithms, WANDERB-VTOL dramatically enhances tactical forces’ situational awareness over extended missions. Advanced datalinks, integrating three channels, extend the communication range to 50 km, ensuring mission continuity even under adverse conditions.
The quadrotor system provides vertical lift for take-off and landing from small spaces like forest clearings, rooftops, or ship decks. In an emergency, the aircraft can also glide to a safe landing. WANDERB-VTOL is designed for rapid deployment from unprepared locations and short turnaround time between missions.
IAI is partnered with BlueBird Aero Systems to offer VTOL-UAS technologies and solutions.
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