Australian Armed Forces to Adopt AeroVironment’s Wasp AE sUAS

By Caroline Rees / 06 Sep 2016

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
AeroVironment Wasp AE sUAS
Follow UST
AeroVironment Wasp AE sUAS

Image courtesy AeroVironment, Inc.

AeroVironment, Inc. is to team with Australia-based XTEK, Sentient Vision and General Dynamics (GD) Mediaware to deliver AeroVironment’s Family of Unmanned Aircraft Systems to the Australian market. The team will offer the AeroVironment Wasp AE Micro Air Vehicle, designated as the RQ-12A by the U.S. Department of Defense, to the Australian Armed Forces.

“Teaming with XTEK, Sentient and General Dynamics Mediaware for delivery and sustainment is key to ensuring our customer’s success as its forces rely on the advanced, versatile and life-saving capabilities of our Wasp AE systems to proceed with certainty,” said Kirk Flittie, vice president and general manager of AeroVironment’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems business segment.

“Wasp AE is an all-environment small unmanned aircraft system designed for reliable and effective operation in real-world environments,” said Flittie. “It enhances our fully digital family of small unmanned aircraft systems and incorporates the advanced capabilities of Puma AE™ and Raven® into a smaller, lighter and more portable package for rapid deployment and minimal logistics support.”

Each Wasp AE system consists of two air vehicles and one ground control system (GCS). “It delivers – in a man-packable asset – exceptional features of superior imagery, increased endurance, encrypted video and ease of use that is inherent in all AeroVironment UAS solutions,” Flittie said.

The 2.8-pound (1.3 kilograms) MAV has a 29-inch wingspan and is designed for ground and water landing, making it suitable for both land and maritime missions. It carries interchangeable payload modules and incorporates the smallest of AeroVironment’s Mantis™ suite of miniature gimbaled payloads, the 275 gram Mantis i22 AE, giving operators both color and infrared video imagery from a single sensor package.

Operating virtually undetected, Wasp AE’s mechanically stabilized EO/IR gimbal payload transmits advanced imagery, even in windy conditions, for mission effectiveness. It also features hand-launch capabilities, with a deep-stall landing in confined areas on land or water. It further can be operated manually or programmed for autonomous operation using the system’s advanced avionics and precise GPS navigation.

Wasp AE is operated from AeroVironment’s time-tested and proven GCS with a communications range of 5 km and flight endurance of 50 minutes. AeroVironment’s common GCS interfaces with all of its tactical ISR air vehicles reducing the level of training required and decreasing the time and cost involved.

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

SightLine Software & Hardware Advancements for Enhanced ISR Applications

SightLine Applications LLC introduces the 3.9.2 update, enhancing the 4100 video processor and unveiling the ultra-compact 1710 processor for advanced ISR applications

Jul 16, 2025
Silicon Sensing’s MEMS Technology Enhances Vehicle Localization for Autonomous Driving

The University of Toronto investigated approaches to determining spatial awareness in autonomous vehicles, with Silicon Sensing's DMU41 IMU succeeding in cost-effectiveness, reliability and accuracy

Jul 16, 2025
CHC Navigation Launches AU20 MMS for Precision LiDAR Mapping of Infrastructure

CHC Navigation (CHCNAV) has unveiled the AU20 MMS, a vehicle-mounted mobile mapping system designed for accurate and efficient collection of 3D spatial data

Jul 16, 2025
ZIYAN to Highlight UAV Coordination & Unmanned Helicopter Solutions at IDEF 2025

ZIYAN Tech will unveil its latest combat UAV technologies at IDEF 2025, highlighting advanced swarm coordination, ISR systems, and unmanned helicopter capabilities

Jul 16, 2025
Boosting First Responder Drones with Advanced BVLOS Technology

DroneSense and MatrixSpace partner to enhance BVLOS capabilities, accelerating the safe, scalable use of drones in public safety and Drone as First Responder missions

Jul 16, 2025
TEKEVER Advancing Defense & Civil Security Drones with Cahors Centre of Excellence

Tekever will establish a new dual-use Centre of Excellence in Cahors, France to develop, test, integrate and industrialize autonomous defense and security technologies

Jul 16, 2025

Featured Content

SBG Systems Evaluates INS Performance in GNSS-Denied Marine Applications

SBG Systems evaluates the performance of its INS solutions in GNSS-denied marine environments, comparing system accuracy with and without DVL and warm-up support

Jul 14, 2025
USAF Uses Inertial Labs Drone Lidar for Tree Obstruction Survey

The US Air Force successfully used Inertial Labs drone Lidar and cloud software to quickly map tree obstructions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM), improving airfield safety

Jul 11, 2025
New UAV to Combine Solar Hydrogen & Battery Power for Extended Flight

XSun and H3 Dynamics are developing the first UAV powered by solar, hydrogen, and batteries, aiming to deliver zero-emission, long-endurance unmanned flight

Jul 07, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.