AeroVironment has confirmed that it has developed a new suite of software updates designed to enhance the performance of the company’s Puma 3 AE and Puma LE UAS (unmanned aerial systems) in contested environments.
The powerful upgrades allow the unmanned aircraft to maintain reliable navigation and mission performance even when GNSS and communications signals are unreliable, unavailable or deliberately jammed. This in turn enables them continue mission-critical tasks autonomously and securely, reducing reliance on GPS and enhancing survivability in hostile areas.
Features of the new software suite include:
- GPS-Denied Capabilities
Puma 3 AE and Puma LE now support additional advanced Assured Position Navigation and Timing (APNT) capabilities in GNSS denied environments. - Visual Navigation (VNS)
Providing greater capability utilizing Puma’s VNS system with end-to-end GNSS-denied operation and an additional layer of GNSS spoofing detection and rejection. - Enhanced Radio Security
Enhanced security features with the latest software and UI/UX ensuring robust communications in contested environments. - Increased Payload
Software update allows for 60% increase in Puma 3 payload capacity, up to 6.5lbs of total payload for advanced multi-mission support.
The software updates requires no hardware modifications to be made to existing systems, thus offering a cost-effective and rapid upgrade path for deployed fleets. All new Puma systems will include these features, and currently fielded units can be easily upgraded using the Puma Software Update Kit.
Trace Stevenson, AeroVironment’s senior vice president and general manager of Uncrewed Systems, commented: “With these software enhancements, we’re reinforcing the adaptability and resilience of our Puma Systems for the most demanding battlefield conditions. These capabilities allow warfighters to maintain operational superiority, even when adversaries attempt to disrupt critical systems, ensuring greater mission success and survivability.”
