Aerosonde
Overview
Designed for expeditionary land- and sea-based operations and equipped for simultaneous day/night full-motion video, communications relay, signals intelligence and a customer-selected payload in a single flight, Textron Systems' Aerosonde Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) family of products delivers reliable, multi-mission performance in a class by itself. It is field-proven with more than 700,000 flight hours, including desert heat and Arctic cold.
We also offer turnkey, contracted uncrewed intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) services with our systems, operators and trainers. Our hybrid approach provides hands-on training for customer staff while we launch operations.
System Capabilities:
- Covert operation, with low visual and auditory signature
- Proven performance with heavy-fuel engine including JP-5, JP-8, F44, Jet-A, Jet-A1
- Multi-INT capabilities with up to six payloads in a single flight
- Over 40 payloads available including:
- Full-Motion Video (FMV) and day/night imaging
- Maritime Wide Area Search
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
- Automatic Identification Systems (AIS)
- Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)
- Electronic Warfare (EW)
- Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
- Communications Intelligence (COMINT)
- Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
- 3D mapping
- Voice communications relay
- Ad-hoc networking (MANET)
configurations
Aerosonde® Mk. 4.7 Fixed Wing
Textron Systems' Aerosonde UAS offers superior reliability and multi-mission performance in its class. With an easy-to-use Launch and Recovery System (LRS) for constrained land and shipboard operations, our Aerosonde system is ready to go in any environment.
| Aerosonde® Mk. 4.7 Fixed Wing | |
|---|---|
| Payload Capacity |
Up to 32 lbs (14.5 kg) |
| Wingspan |
14.45 ft (4.4 m) |
| Service Ceiling |
14,700 ft (4,481 m) |
| Range |
140 km (75 nm) |
| Max Takeoff Elevation |
5,000 ft (1,524 m) |
| Datalink Bands |
L, S, C |
| MGTOW |
93 lbs (42.2 kg |
| Max Endurance |
19.8 hr |
| Automated Launch and Recovery |
Single system with hydraulic pneumatic launcher and net recovery |
| Airspeed |
45-65 kt |
Commercial variant available in most countries.
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Aerosonde® Mk. 4.7 VTOL
Combined with our Aerosonde system's proven performance and benchmark-setting reliability, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL UAS brings unparalleled levels of mission capability and flexibility. Textron Systems' Aerosonde VTOL is runway-independent using Hybrid Quadrotor technology to achieve vertical takeoff and landing.
| Aerosonde® Mk. 4.7 VTOL | |
|---|---|
| Payload Capacity |
Up to 25 lbs (11.3 kg) |
| Wingspan |
14.45 ft (4.4 m) |
| Service Ceiling |
9,700 ft (2,957 m) |
| Range |
140 km (75 nm) |
| Max Takeoff Elevation |
4,000 ft (1,219 m) |
| Datalink Bands |
L, S, C |
| MGTOW |
118 lbs (53.5 kg) |
| Max Endurance |
12 hr |
| Automated Launch and Recovery |
Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability |
| Airspeed |
45-65 kt |
| Transition Altitude |
up to 1,450 ft (442 m) |
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Aerosonde® Mk. 4.8 Fixed wing
Textron Systems' Aerosonde Mk. 4.8 Fixed Wing (FW) UAS offers superior reliability and multi-mission performance in its class. With increased size, weight and power (SWAP) compared to the Mk. 4.7 configuration, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.8 Fixed Wing brings enhanced mission flexibility and capability.
| Aerosonde® Mk. 4.8 Fixed Wing | |
|---|---|
| Payload Capacity |
Up to 39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
| Wingspan |
14.45 ft (4.4 m) |
| Service Ceiling |
18,200 ft (5,547 m) |
| Range | 140 km (75 nm) |
| Max Takeoff Elevation |
8,000 ft (2,438 m) |
| Datalink Bands |
L, S, C |
| MGTOW |
120 lbs (54.4 kg) |
| Max Endurance |
19.8 hr |
| Automated Launch and Recovery |
Single system with hydraulic pneumatic launcher and net recovery |
| Airspeed |
45-65 kt |
Aerosonde® Mk. 4.8 VTOL FTUAS
Purpose-built to meet the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift requirements, the Aerosonde® Mk. 4.8 VTOL FTUAS is runway independent, bringing enhanced flexibility through Hybrid Quadrotor technology to achieve vertical takeoff and landing. Its size, weight and power (SWAP) profile are optimized to execute the aerial reconnaissance missions of the Brigade Combat Team (BCT) while retaining its two-soldier portability. Learn more
| Aerosonde® Mk. 4.8 VTOL FTUAS | |
|---|---|
| Payload Capacity |
Up to 50 lbs (22.7kg) |
| Service Ceiling |
15,000 ft (5,000 m) |
| Datalink Bands |
L, S, C, KU |
| MGTOW |
205 lbs (93 kg) |
| Max Endurance |
14 hr |
| Automated Launch and Recovery |
Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability |
Blackstone & Training Support
Our Aerosonde Center of Excellence located in Blackstone, VA is a 38,000 sq ft. facility that covers the full product life cycle of the Aerosonde UAS from production and assembly, to testing and training. Staffed with dedicated instructors, we provide both classroom and flight-line training on-site. Our courses cover Aerosonde familiarization, crewmember qualification and maintenance certification. Home to a global logistics hub, this facility also handles shipping, receiving and quality inspection.
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