| V-BAT (MQ-35A) | |
|---|---|
| |
| V-BAT lands on USS Carter Hall in May 2023 | |
| Role | UAV |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Shield AI |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
V-BAT (MDS Name: MQ-35A) is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle originally developed by Martin UAV, now Shield AI.
In late April 2021 the United States Navy selected the V-BAT for prototyping and development.[1]
In February 2022, Brazilian company VSK Tactical ordered an undisclosed number of V-BATs for security and monitoring roles.[2]
On 21 December 2022, a V-BAT, together with a Skyways V2.6B UAV, made the first unmanned cargo deliveries to a US Navy ship at sea with each UAV carrying a cargo of 22.5kg 200nm (370km) onto a moving ship.[3]
In March 2023 the United States Army announced that the V-BAT had been selected to compete in its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition, Increment 2 to replace the RQ-7B Shadow. Shield AI teamed with Northrop Grumman for the competition.[4]
On 9 October 2023 Shield AI announced that the V-BAT had a drone-swarming capability.[5]
Specifications
General characteristics
- Crew: none
- Length: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Wingspan: 9.7 ft (3.0 m)
- Gross weight: 125 lb (57 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Suter TOA 288 two-cylinder engine
Performance
- Maximum speed: 56 mph (90 km/h, 49 kn)
- Endurance: 10 hours
- Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
Avionics
electro-optical (EO)/mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras
References
- ^ "US Navy selects Martin UAV's V-BAT for VTOL UAS prototyping effort". Naval Technology. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Brazil orders V-Bat | Shephard". 8 February 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Ryan Finnerty (30 December 2022). "UAVs deliver cargo to US Navy ship at sea for first time". Flight Global. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "US Army Selects Northrop Grumman, Teamed with Shield AI, for Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Prototype". Northrop Grumman Corporation. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Shield AI unveils V-BAT teams drone swarm tech with eye to replicator". Defense News. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
External links
This page was last edited on 25 February 2024, at 09:53