Australia has now its first Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) drone made by BAE Systems Australia in collaboration with local industry, as reported by Interesting Engineering.
The STRIX
The VTOL is dubbed as STRIX, which was introduced at the 2023 Avalon Airshow in Geelong, AU in partnership with Innovaero. It combines BAE Systems' understanding of autonomous platforms and Vehicle Management System (VMS) technology with Innovator's aerospace products.
The drone is a hybrid, tandem-wing, multi-domain, and multi-role UAS that can conduct several tasks. Surveillance, persistent intelligence, reconnaissance, and air-to-ground strike against hostile targets are some of the tasks the the STRIX can do. It can also serve as a faithful wingman to military helicopters.
It is expected to travel 497 miles with a load capacity of 160 kg. The STRIX can also operate in hazardous conditions and may be carried in a conventional shipping container due to its compressed footprint of 8.5 feet by 14.7 feet.
The drone doesn't require a runway because of its VTOL capability and can be operated from a helicopter. Therefore, this can increase the pilots in dangerous situations.
Also read: US Defense Agency is Developing its own Small Military Vertical-Takeoff Aircraft 'ANCILLARY'
The Rise of VTOLs
With the rise of VTOLs, drones are becoming increasingly important for military operations.
The STRIX is a great example of how VTOLs can be used to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of military operations. With its ability to operate in hazardous conditions, it can be used to conduct surveillance, reconnaissance, and air-to-ground strikes against hostile targets.
Additionally, its compact size and carrying capacity make it a great asset for military operations.
This drone has been designed with an advanced autopilot system that allows operators to control the UAV remotely from any location on land or sea making it ideal for missions where direct contact between ground forces and air support would otherwise not be possible due to terrain obstacles or other factors.
This capability makes the STRIX one of the most versatile drones available today allowing military commanders more flexibility when planning their operations.
The STRIX is also a great asset for search and rescue operations. Its ability to hover in place, combined with its VTOL capability makes it ideal for locating persons who may be lost or stranded in remote areas that are inaccessible by other means of transportation.
The drone can provide real-time intelligence on the situation which could help rescuers make better decisions when responding to an emergency. Its VTOL capability allows it to land in tight spaces, which makes it ideal for transporting injured personnel from remote locations to a hospital or medical facility.
Furthermore, its advanced autopilot system ensures that the drone will fly safely and accurately even if communication with ground forces is lost due to adverse weather conditions or other factors.
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