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AeroVironment has announced capability enhancements for its Puma LE small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS), including an integrated Laser Target Designator payload and a Universal Gimbal Kit.
These additions are designed to expand the Puma LE’s role beyond intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to include multi-mission operations and precision targeting.
The integrated Laser Target Designator Kit features Trillium Engineering’s HD59 payload, a lightweight electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) gimbal system. This system incorporates a 50mj STANAG 3733-compliant laser designator, an EO camera, and mid-wave, long-wave, and short-wave infrared (MWIR, LWIR, SWIR) sensors.
The system also includes See Spot, which allows for long-range identification and target prosecution day or night. According to the company, these features enable small units to independently identify and designate targets, which can accelerate the find-fix-finish timeline and enhance mission autonomy.
Trace Stevenson, president of Autonomous Systems at AeroVironment, stated, “With a laser target designator now integrated into the Puma LE, we are delivering a significant tactical advantage. Operators can now seamlessly transition from reconnaissance to precision target designation using the same lightweight, man-portable system – a capability previously reserved for larger, more complex platforms.”
The new Universal Gimbal Kit adds to the system’s operational flexibility by allowing operators to quickly integrate various gimballed payloads directly onto the Puma LE airframe in the field. This can be done without depot-level support and enables the rapid reconfiguration of the aircraft with advanced EO/IR gimbals, laser designators, and other specialized sensors.
“Battlefields are dynamic, and mission requirements can change within minutes,” said Jason Hendrix, vice president and general manager of Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems at AeroVironment. “The Universal Gimbal Kit ensures Puma LE remains mission-relevant by enabling payload reconfiguration in minutes, empowering forces to deploy the right sensor for any tactical need.”
“We are proud to partner with AV on the integration of our HD59 Laser Designator payload for the Puma LE,” said Matt Carreon, Vice President of Business Development at Trillium Engineering, commented, “This collaboration brings a powerful, lightweight, multi-sensor EO/IR gimbal system to the field, enabling precision laser designation, something previously confined to larger platforms. The lightweight and versatile design of our payload, combined with Puma LE’s unmatched portability, will empower tactical teams to identify and designate targets, dramatically enhancing their operational independence and effectiveness.”
The Puma LE is a rugged, ultra-lightweight Group 2 aircraft designed for harsh environments. With the Trillium HD59 payload, it provides over 3.5 hours of flight endurance, supporting dynamic, multi-domain missions for dismounted troops, special operations forces, and militaries worldwide.
