The enhanced performance version prototype of the MUSECO (MUlti SEnsor COpter) unmanned helicopter accomplished a successful test flight on the 12th December 2012.
The MUSECO is one additional platform option for the LUNA Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) which has been operational in Afghanistan, in extremely austere environmental conditions, since 2003. The MUSECO helicopter is based on the SWISS UAV NEO S-350 VTOL UAV. EMT and SWISS UAV are teaming up for the development of the MUSECO.
“This successful test flight is a result of the close cooperation between SWISS UAV and EMT. We are happy that we can offer our customers new flexible capabilities with this additional platform option. Future operators of the tactical LUNA system will have a choice between the MUSECO helicopter or the LUNA and the LUNA NG fixed wing unmanned aircrafts.” says Sascha Lange, head of Business Development.
LUNA is a small-operational footprint, runway-independent TUAS. It can deploy a wide range of payloads such as EO/IR, SAR, SIGINT or CBRN sensors, and relay payloads. LUNA can stay aloft for 8 hours. It is thus very flexible and can respond to fast-changing mission requirements. Integration into armored ground vehicles (e.g. Ground Control Station) enables close organic integration in army units. This provides near real-time availability of actionable ISR results at tactical levels.
With its various UAS families, over 750 tactical UAS delivered to customers on three continents and more than 11 years’ operational experience, EMT is Europe’s leading developer, manufacturer and service provider for affordable Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TUAS).
Swiss UAV, based in Switzerland, is a young high-tech company focusing on the development and production of small and medium sized vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicles (VTOL UAVs). Early successes with the NEO and KOAX platforms have led to the development of fully redundant and autonomous systems specifically targeting mission critical applications in the civil and military markets.
Source: Press Release