AeroVironment adds VTOL, hover, perch and stare capability to battle-proven family of small unmanned aircraft systems (Raven, Wasp, Puma AE)
Enables frontline military and non-military missions requiring vertical launches and landings without additional infrastructure
Operated by AeroVironment’s common Ground Control System to ensure ease of use and acceptance
Result of more than four years of DARPA-funded research and development to create a portable, stealthy, persistent perch and stare capability
Through a contract from DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) to develop a portable, stealthy, persistent perch and stare (SP2S) unmanned aircraft system AeroVironment, Inc.'s lightweight and man-portable Shrike VTOL unmanned aircraft system represents the conclusion of this development effort.
Designed to address the need for a small, light-weight hovering aircraft that delivers surveillance and intelligence capability not provided by current solutions. Not only does Shrike VTOL hover for more than 40 minutes with a high resolution video camera, but its innovative design also allows for the transmission of several hours of live video as a remotely emplaced perch and stare sensor.
Operating quietly enough to go virtually undetected, Shrike weighs approximately five pounds and is small enough to fit in a backpack.
