UAV round-upGalileo Avionica offers electrical UAV for urban missions
UAVs are growing in popularity, and an Italian company offers a vehicle which is especially designed for urban warfare and special operations: It is an electrically powered UAV which is so small it can be carried in a backpakck
Now here is a solution which helps in homeland security missions and saves energy at the same time. Pomezia, Italy-based Galileo Avionica, a subsidiary of Finmeccanica, is showing an electrically powered vertical take off and landing (VTOL) UAV at this month’s IDEX exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Designated ASIO, the system is being developed in conjunction with the Rome-based Unmanned Technologies Research Institute (UTRI). Galileo Avionica says that the UAV has fully autonomous capabilities and has been developed to support maneuver, urban, and special operations roles.
The whole thing comes in a small package, too. A complete system, comprising an air vehicle, ground control station, and communications antenna is small enough to be carried inside a backpack. The system is also designed to be interoperable with Finmeccanica’s existing intelligence, surveillance, targeting, and reconnaissance systems.
UTRI was established in 2003 to develop UAV autopilot and inertial measurement technologies. It is now working on a 2.8 kg payload mini helicopter UAV for military and civil applications.
-read more in this Flight report
