Puma LE (Long Endurance), the latest in AeroVironment’s Puma All Environment small UAS product line and one that delivers Group 2 capabilities in a Group 1 footprint, is evoking plenty of interest at AUSA 2019. The company is now accepting orders for the product, with expected delivery in spring 2020.
“The U.S. military is interested in the longer endurance capabilities of the Puma LE,” Rick Pedigo, Vice President, Business Development and Sales, told GBP Aerospace & Defence. “We have been introducing the UAS and talking to countries around the world. The response has been very positive.”
The Puma LE builds on the combat-proven Puma AE legacy with new capabilities, increased range, and expanded payload capacity. With the integrated Mantis i45 gimbaled EO/IR sensor and NVG-visible laser illuminator, Puma LE provides the warfighter with superior imagery for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) during day, night and low-light operations on land and in maritime environments.
The aircraft weighs only 22.5 pounds (10.4 kilograms), and can be launched by hand or bungee, thus making it easy to deploy and recover. On-board batteries provide 5.5 hours of flight endurance, doubling the time on station of Puma 3 AE, with an operational range of 60 kilometers when used with AeroVironment’s Long-Range Tracking Antenna (LRTA). Puma LE’s dual-case mission pack contains everything needed to perform two complete 5.5-hour missions with a single aircraft and Ground Control System (GCS).
“We currently sell in 47 countries around the world,” said Pedigo. “We have sold a lot of Pumas internationally. We have sold in Asia, Africa, and pretty much all over the world. I believe the Puma LE has great market potential.”
Puma LE can be operated manually or autonomously with AeroVironment’s common GCS. Puma LE utilizes plug and play, interoperable line-replaceable unit (LRU) components that can be shared with other Puma AE aircraft. This native compatibility reduces training and logistical impact for operators. In addition, current Puma AE customers can now optimize their fielded systems by purchasing Puma LE as an add-on aircraft and easily installing Puma AE LRU components. Multiple Puma LE system options provide the flexibility for customers to choose the right configuration based on mission requirements.
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