Portable Mini Drones Undergo Rigorous Tests

Lockheed Martin's Stalker VXE30 was subjected to almost 20 hours of trials at RNAS Predannack in challenging weather conditions that pushed the platform to its limits By Joseph Macey / 12 Aug 2024

Tactical UAS

Discover cutting-edge solutions from 6 leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Portable Mini Drone Trials Undergo Rigorous Trials
Follow DA

Portable mini drones have been put through rigorous trials at RNAS Predannack, Cornwall.

Under Project TIQUILA, Lockheed Martin’s Stalker VXE30 was subjected to almost 20 hours of trials in challenging weather conditions that pushed the platform to its limits.

As a step change in equipment procurement, Project TIQUILA will deliver cutting-edge small Uncrewed Air Systems (sUAS) to UK Forces at pace, whilst also offering spiral capability development opportunities throughout the life of the 10-year project.

In keeping pace with both technological and battlespace advances, Project TIQUILA is currently assessing the STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 with both platforms providing superior ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) for the User Community.

Of specific note, STALKER VXE30 and Indago 4 will enable the User to find and accurately locate targets at multiple ranges, across a variety of environments and conditions.

The recent trial was undertaken by an expert team made up of the Joint UAS Test and Evaluation Flight (JUAS TEF), part of 744 Naval Air Squadron (744 NAS), Air & Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) and Defence Equipment and Support’s TIQUILA Delivery Team.

As a key part of capability acceptance, the initial Flight trials provide an essential body of evidence to prove the equipment is capable and that it will provide value for money to both the User and the UK taxpayer. Whilst focussing on the STALKER VXE30 thus far, it is expected that the same sort of rigorous testing will next be conducted on the Indago 4 in due course.

Hannah Haggett, DE&S, said: “The REIVER series, as a vital part of Project TIQUILA, is the latest in a series of important T&E trials as part of the wider TIQUILA enterprise. It is crucial we provide the military with cutting-edge capabilities now but also equipment that can be continually upgraded to keep pace with emerging threats in an ever-evolving, demanding battlespace. Testing early and appropriately will underpin both capabilities and from the evidence generated from the trials thus far, the equipment is high quality and is performing as expected.”

In December 2022, it was announced that more than 250 mini drones would be delivered to the Armed Forces under a contract worth ÂŁ129 million with Lockheed Martin UK, which supports jobs in Havant and Gloucester as well as across the wider UK supply chain.

Weighing a little over 20kg and with a 4.88 metre wingspan, the STALKER VXE30 Air Vehicle (Av) is an operationally proven, vertical-launched, near-silent drone providing up to eight hours of imaging capability and able to range out to 60km.

Indago 4, a smaller quadcopter type Av, weighing only a little over 4kg, can be folded and carried in a backpack and deployed in just three minutes, with a range of up to approximately 12km.

Similar to the STALKER VXE30, the high-resolution camera system on the Indago 4 provides an exceptional zoom capability to accurately identify people, objects, vehicles and weapons, both in day and night conditions.

Both sUAS are on track and are expected to be operational by the front line by the end of 2024.

Posted by Joseph Macey Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Support Equipment Solutions for Military Aviation & Aerospace

WilliamsRDM is a leading developer and manufacturer of common and peculiar support equipment for military aviation and aerospace programs, with...

May 22, 2025
New Hybrid Solution for Long-Term GNSS-Denied Navigation

Advanced Navigation has demonstrated a major breakthrough with a Hybrid Navigation System designed for GPS-denied environments, combining a strategic-grade FOG INS with a laser velocity sensor

May 21, 2025
New muLTElink Features Improve Command & Control for UAS

uAvionix’s latest muLTElink software update enhances UAS connectivity with automated link management, improving resilience, reliability, and cost-efficiency in complex operations

May 21, 2025
Honeywell Unveils Resilient INS with Anti-Jamming Technology

Honeywell has launched its new HGuide o480 INS, delivering precise, resilient navigation with anti-jamming technology for compact unmanned systems operating in GPS-denied or contested environments

May 21, 2025
Trillium Gimbal Enhances Imaging for Launched Effects & Loitering Munitions

Trillium Engineering introduces the HD25-LV-C, a lightweight imaging system optimized for cost-constrained, expendable platforms like Launched Effects and loitering munitions

May 21, 2025
Advanced ISR Technologies Launched by SightLine Applications

SightLine Applications demos cutting-edge ISR advancements at XPONENTIAL 2025, featuring the ultra-compact 1710-OEM processor and the Athena AI-integrated 4100 board for enhanced edge-based AI and multi-stream video processing

May 21, 2025

Featured Content

New Line of Kinetic-Capable Unmanned Surface Vessels Introduced

Red Cat Holdings enters the maritime autonomy market with a new line of combat-proven USVs, expanding its multi-domain unmanned systems for naval operations

May 20, 2025
Next-Gen Group 2 UAS Enters Production with Extended Endurance & Upgrades

Aurora Flight Sciences upgrades the SKIRON-X Group 2 UAS with greater versatility and tactical mission endurance, as well as announcing the hydrogen-powered SKIRON-XLE variant

May 13, 2025
Discover ANELLO’s SiPhOG™ for GNSS-Denied Navigation at XPO25

CEO of ANELLO Photonics, Dr. Mario Paniccia, will present at Xponential 2025 on the company's SiPhOG-based inertial navigation technology in GPS-denied and GNSS-contested environments.

May 09, 2025
Advancing Defense Capability Through Strategic Collaboration Defense Advancement works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive defense capabilities forward.