UAV updateSpecial forces interest in Panther tiltrotor UAV family
Special forces officers from several potential clients were in Israel this week to see a demonstration of new UAV which combines the capabilities of an aircraft and a helicopter; the Panther uses an automatic flight control system to manage the transition between its hovering take-off phase to forward flight and back before landing
Israel Aerospace Industries’ Panther/K-80 tiltrotor UAV is being evaluated by special forces from other countries, the company has revealed.
The new design was displayed at Israel’s Latrun land forces conference 5-7 October and will also be demonstrated at the Association of the United States Army’s 2010 annual meeting and exposition in Washington, D.C. 25-27 October.
Arie Egozi writes in Flight Global that officers from some potential clients were in Israel this week to see the new UAV.
The Panther uses an automatic flight control system to manage the transition between its hovering take-off phase to forward flight and back before landing. Take-offs and landings are performed automatically following a click of the operator console, eliminating the need for an external pilot.
The UAV has a take-off weight of 65kg (143lb), and can loiter for about 6h at an altitude up to 10,000ft (3,050m). Its operating radius is more than 32nm (60km).
Power comes from what IAI describes as three “ultra-quiet” electric motors. The air vehicle carries IAI’s Mini-POP electro-optical/infrared sensor — a stabilised camera with a laser rangefinder, pointer or laser designator (“Israel unveils UAV combining aircraft, helicopter capabilities,” 6 October 2010 HSNW).
Meanwhile, IAI is also poised to unveil a scaled-down version named the Mini Panther. With a 12kg take-off weight, the smaller system can loiter for roughly two hours and carries a Micro-POP sensor.
The portable Mini Panther system includes two air vehicles and a command and control unit carried in backpacks by two soldiers.
Egozi writes that each of the company’s larger Panther systems comprises three UAVs and a two-person control station using identical consoles. The equipment is installed on a midsize ground vehicle, which also carries a ground datalink, support equipment and spare parts to support tactical-level operations.
Both UAVs, though, can be controlled by only one operator if required.
Prototypes of the Panther platform have undergone successful flight tests and the type will be operational by 2011, IAI says.
