Lockheed Martin introduced on April 11, 2022, that its specifically configured Stalker VXE unmanned aerial system (UAS) accomplished a world report of almost 39-hour flight on February 18, 2022, on the Santa Margarita Ranch in California, “demonstrating the higher endurance capabilities of the system.”
Stalker, which is also powered by a ruggedized Strong Oxide Gasoline Cell, can function on propane for over 8 hours. Nonetheless, within the newest check, the plane managed to push its boundaries, staying within the air for 39 hours, 17 minutes, and seven seconds, setting a brand new report within the Group 2 class (which incorporates UAS that weigh between 11 and 55 kilos/ 5 and 25 kilograms).
New. World. Report.
The Stalker VXE UAS set a brand new world report by flying for over 39 hours straight. pic.twitter.com/FnFQ5mk971
— Lockheed Martin (@LockheedMartin) April 11, 2022
For this record-breaking flight, a manufacturing Stalker VXE was retrofitted with an exterior, wing-mounted gasoline tank. Stalker VXE’s mission capabilities shall be scaled sooner or later, and the flight gave vital suggestions for future upgrades, in accordance with the press assertion launched by Lockheed Martin.
Stalker VXE’s class-leading endurance, broad working envelope, modular payload compliance, vertical take-off, and touchdown functionality, and open system design, in accordance with the agency, permit it to hold out a wide range of missions with a tiny operational footprint and crew.
The flight has been forwarded for certification to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world’s sanctioning physique for aviation information, by way of its US affiliate, the Nationwide Aeronautic Affiliation.
Lockheed Martin’s Stalker UAS
Stalker is a Group 2 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) that gives long-endurance imaging functionality in a mess of contested environments. The drone’s mission is to help warfighters with data, surveillance, and reconnaissance knowledge. It’s additionally able to border patrol and different particular actions.
Since 2006, the essential Stalker UAS has been in operation with the US Particular Operations Command (USSOC).
In accordance to the corporate, this drone is utilized by Special Forces all world wide. Nonetheless, the corporate’s web site makes no point out of which international locations are at the moment utilizing this drone.
The drone participated in Lockheed Martin’s collaborative unmanned techniques demonstration, which used prototype UAS Visitors Administration to combine unmanned techniques into the Nationwide Airspace System (NAS). By interacting with air site visitors management, it assures the protected operation of air autos.
In November 2015, Stalker transmitted geolocation and knowledge to the Kaman Okay-MAX unmanned cargo helicopter deployed in a fire-fighting mission through the demonstration in Rome. In October 2015, the UAS was on show on the AUSA 2015 (Annual Assembly and Exposition) in Washington.
It has a wingspan of 18 ft (4.8 meters) and might take off and land in troublesome situations, giving operators extra operational mission flexibility. The plane has a payload capability of 5.5 kilos (2.5 kg).
Underneath the fuselage of the UAV is a modular twin electro-optical, infrared, low-light imaging digital camera that gives steady surveillance and high-definition imagery all through each day and night time. The imager’s pan, tilt, and zoom (PTZ) head allow it to cowl a bigger space. It additionally has a laser illuminator and a payload compartment which may be dropped.
Stalker makes use of propane to function for 8+ hours and might be powered by a ruggedized Strong Oxide Gasoline Cell if wanted. The gasoline cell expertise was developed as a part of a collaborative undertaking coordinated by Lockheed Martin and Adaptive Supplies (now part of Extremely Electronics Holdings) and funded by the Protection Superior Analysis Initiatives Company (DARPA). The nostril of the UAV can be outfitted with a two-bladed propeller.
It has a high velocity of 58 miles per hour (93 kilometers per hour) and might attain elevations of 12,000 ft (3,658 meters). The system may also be personalized to run on batteries to fulfill the mission’s necessities. This offers it a four-hour working time. Moreover, It’s able to functioning in any sort of atmosphere.
The unmanned plane and its payloads are monitored and managed remotely by way of a laptop-based floor management station, which additionally acts because the operator’s person interface. The bottom station receives and processes the imagery and knowledge taken by the automobile.
