New Tactical ISR UAVs Engineered for Sub-Zero Environments

KLM Defense has expanded the operational envelope of tactical multirotor platforms by introducing two unmanned aerial systems designed specifically for extreme high-altitude intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

The newly unveiled Sentinel T-60 and Sentinel T-90 platforms are rated for launch at 29,400 feet above mean sea level (AMSL) and feature a service ceiling of 36,000 feet AMSL, allowing them to operate in air pressures as low as 20 kPa. This capability marks a significant departure from standard tactical quadcopters in this class, which are typically limited to approximately 15,000 feet. To survive severe alpine and high-altitude environments, both airframes feature IP67 all-weather sealing and are cold-soak rated for launch at temperatures as low as -55 degrees Celsius.

The Sentinel T-60 is a man-portable system optimized for rapid-response deployment. It provides an operational flight endurance of 55 to 65 minutes, a 20-kilometer frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) encrypted radio range, and a Level 2 active electronic counter-measure suite. For surveillance, the platform utilizes the UC65 Pro combination electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sight, which integrates a 3-axis gyro-stabilized system with a 30x hybrid zoom, a 640×512 thermal imaging sensor at a 30 Hz refresh rate, and simultaneous day imaging.

Designed for persistent overwatch missions, the Sentinel T-90 offers extended endurance ranging from 75 to 90 minutes and an expanded operating range of 45 kilometers. This larger platform features a Level 3 active electronic counter-measure suite and carries the Argus 1200 combination sight. This payload includes an AI-enabled EO/IR gimbal powered by an 11-TOPS onboard compute core that handles real-time target detection and AI-assisted locking and tracking. The day sensor utilizes a 48-megapixel unit with up to 160x hybrid zoom, while the thermal channel combines a 640×512, 30 Hz sensor with up to 8x digital zoom, full-frame radiometric temperature readouts, and AI-driven super-resolution upscaling to 1280×1024 for precise day and night tracking.

Both unmanned systems utilize the proprietary KlmFly ground control software and are operated via the KAT 9 Pro and KAT 11 Pro touchscreen controllers. The command architecture relies on fully encrypted FHSS frequency-hopping datalinks, supporting automated one-touch takeoff and landing sequences along with the capability to dynamically alter waypoints and altitudes mid-flight.