STM has put its new armed VTOL UAV concept on display for the IDEF25 international defence exhibition held in Istanbul alongside its other new UAV systems.
STM’s new concept of the fixed-wing VTOL UAV draws from both the changing approaches to field-level UAVs and STM’s internal developments.
The concept envisions a VTOL UAV with electric takeoff engines and a pusher engine for forward flight. The UAV has three hardpoints, which can be fitted with mortar droppers or the new optically guided drop-down munition. The munition can reach target at the distance of 200 meter when dropped from 800 meter altitude.
Compared to the munition-dropping multicopter Boyga in use, this concept would provide significantly longer range and endurance thanks to a fixed-wing layout, likely in the hours range. While adding such advantages, the UAV can still be used without dependence on runways thanks to VTOL engines.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
