Textron Systems Corporation has announced its selection by the U.S. Army for the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System (FTUAS) Option 3 and Option 4 awards. Throughout Option 3 and Option 4, Textron Systems will conduct a flight demonstration, MOSA demonstration, and deliver an Aerosonde Mk. 4.8 Hybrid Quad (HQ) uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) to the U.S. Army for testing and evaluation.
Configured with an expeditionary footprint, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.8 HQ is designed to minimize the burden on soldiers while providing top-notch size, weight, and power (SWAP) to carry out day and night missions with multi-INT payloads.
“The FTUAS capability will be transformative for the Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs),” said Wayne Prender, Senior Vice President of Air Systems. “Textron Systems has decades of experience in UAS manufacturing and systems integration, which puts us in a position to produce at any pace the customer wants. We know how to provide full life cycle support, from production to training, spares, repairs, logistics, and continuous technology modernization – all of which are critical to supporting our soldiers.”
The Aerosonde HQ boasts a versatile multi-payload capability, enabling adaptable sensor use for mission success in various environments. With a cumulative flight time exceeding 650,000 hours, the Aerosonde family of systems has proven its reliability.
At the start of last year, the Aerosonde was deployed aboard several Navy ships, including the USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) and the USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5). While the current status of the technology remains unclear, the military’s apparent satisfaction is evident. So much so that the Navy has requested Textron to provide these systems for Navy ships over the next five years.
The Aerosonde offers a unique design in the world of drones, with two available versions: the Aerosonde Fixed Wing and the Aerosonde Hybrid Quad (HQ). The Fixed Wing version requires a hydraulic, pneumatic launcher and a recovery net, while the HQ version is a VTOL drone that ground forces are interested in.
The design of the Aerosonde is undeniably distinctive, featuring a twin-boom design reminiscent of the historic Northrop P-61 Black Widow, America’s first-night fighter aircraft from World War II.
In the version to be delivered to Mk. 4.8 HQ, the drone is significantly smaller than the fighter plane, with a wingspan of 14.45 feet (4.4 meters) and a maximum payload of 39 pounds (17.7 pounds). Its payload versatility includes cameras, radars, and electronic warfare gear.
Like its counterparts, this drone is equipped with a Lycoming heavy-fuel engine that can operate on various fuels. It boasts a range of up to 87 miles (140 km) and can reach altitudes of 8,000 feet (2,438 meters). With a nearly 20-hour airborne capability, the Aerosonde is a reliable asset.
