The Ronin
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The Challenger Airspace Group has disclosed details to Defence Blog regarding the future of its vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme, called the Eagle Ray.
According to Challenger Aerospace Group CEO LeRoy Aday, a company will expand its family of unique unmanned aerial vehicles with the Eagle Ray platform. The new Eagle Ray is a fixed-wing unmanned aerial aircraft with a shafts tilt rotors.
The unmanned aerial vehicle is envisioned to have a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 1,500 kg (3510 LBS) and feature a flat, somewhat disk-shaped airframe an overall length of 9,3 m with wings that have a total span of 9,2 m. The Eagle Ray VTOL will be capable of carrying out military surveillance, search-and-rescue, cargo transport, and attack missions.
The Eagle Ray will also be powered by a diesel engine with this providing an output of 207 kW and 5 electric motors, with the company aiming to achieve a maximum speed of 500 km/h (310 MPH) and a service ceiling of 6,400 m (20,997 ft).
The Eagle Ray will be to win the initiative in any battlefield with its reconnaissance and strike ability. The vehicle is capable of carrying up to 500 kg (1200 LBS) of equipment and weapons including laser-guided air-to-surface missiles, laser/INS/GPS-guided bombs, and anti-tank missiles.
The Challenger Airspace Group is a leading developer in the rapidly changing field of unmanned vehicles. The company design subsystems, develop platforms and manufacture airframes.
http://defence-blog.com/aviation/ch...ike-capable-vtol-unmanned-aerial-vehicle.html
