The Textron Systems Aerosonde® Mk. 4.8 Fixed-Wing UAS is an ultra-reliable unmanned aircraft that offers enhanced performance and an improved SWaP profile compared to its predecessor, the Mk. 4.7 configuration. Featuring a low visual and auditory signature, it is ideal for covert missions and is designed to withstand challenging operational environments from the desert heat to the Arctic cold. Easily deployed with a hydraulic pneumatic launcher and recovered via net, it is suited to constrained land and vessel-based operations.
The powerful UAS is driven by a heavy fuel engine that can operate on JP-5, JP-8, F44, Jet-A, or Jet-A1. With a carrying capacity of 39 lbs, it can be equipped with up to six payloads on a single flight, with over 40 different possibilities including:
- EO/IR imaging systems
- Maritime wide-area search
- SAR (synthetic aperture radar)
- AIS (Automatic Identification Systems)
- EW (electronic warfare) and SIGINT (signals intelligence) payloads
- LiDAR scanners
- MANET (mobile ad-hoc networking) communications
Specifications:
| Wingspan: | 14.45 ft (4.4 m) |
| MGTOW: | 120 lbs (54.4 kg) |
| Payload Capacity: | Up to 39 lbs (17.7 kg) |
| Range: | 140 km (75 nm) |
| Max Endurance: | 17.2 hr |
| Airspeed: | 47–70 kt |
| Service Ceiling: | 17,400 ft (5,304 m) |
