A newcomer at Paris is EMIT, an Israeli UAV design specialist
which has three new UAVs on display: Sparrow and Butterfly and
Blue Horizon.
Sparrow was designed as a 'sub-tactical' low-altitude observation
and surveillance UAV, capable of deployment from land or sea.
Launched by bungee or pneumatic launcher, the 40 kg Sparrow can
carry a payload of 12 kg on a six-hour mission.
According to EMIT the Sparrow's control system uses a compact
500-gram microprocessor-based unit. Built to withstand high crosswinds
on takeoff and landing, Sparrow is designed for automatic launch
and retrieval, even in difficult weather conditions and at sea.
A bungee or pneumatic launcher is used for takeoff, while retrieval
is performed automatically over a designated point, by means of
a parachute and integral airbags. The aircraft is sealed to withstand
operations at sea, including water landing.
The mission is flown autonomously, allowing for remote payload
control. Sparrow will use a new Microview four-axis stabilized
FLIR and TV system, currently under development. EMIT is now gearing
to start production of over 100 vehicles to meet an initial order
from an Asian navy. Enhancements for the system are already underway,
including a rocket-assisted launcher, from a 2.5-meter container
that can be carried on high-mobility vehicles, and a 4.2 kg, four-axis,
stabilized electro-optical payload with a pointing accuracy of
0. 25 mRad. These systems are also proposed for the U.S. Army
Future Combat System program as part of cooperation with EDO Corp.
The Butterfly unmanned parafoil is also on display here. This
is a 30 kt vehicle that can fly missions of four to ten hours,
carrying a 250 kg payload over a range of 120 km at a service
ceiling of 10,000 feet. Butterfly can be unpacked and prepared
for a mission in 20 minutes. After takeoff, it flies a pre-programmed
path over designated waypoints that can be updated in flight.
EMIT's Blue Horizon 2 is currently operational with two Asian
armies. It can carry a payload of 37 kg, including electro-optical
systems or SAR radar. It is designed for conventional takeoff
and landing from a 250 m runway, and features an arrestor hook
for landing. Mission endurance is 10 hours on 75 liters of fuel.
Its mobile ground control station can handle two UAVs simultaneously.
