German unmanned systems manufacturer Quantum Systems and missions systems integration partner ESG jointly debuted a pair of small mock-up ISR UAVs – Vector and Scorpion at Le Bourget.
Sharing a range of common features including a glass fibre airframe, detachable EO/IR gimbal, mesh IP encrypted data link and a Quantum made autopilot, the larger fixed-wing Vector shades its tricopter Scorpion counterpart in size, by virtue of its 2.8m wingspan.
Other distinguishing features include: Vector’s 6kg take-off weight, 2hr endurance, 20m/s cruise speed, while Scorpion’s smaller stature limits comparable items, with a 5kg take-off weight, 15m/s cruise speed, 45min endurance and 85cm wingspan.
Each are ITAR free and developed for ISR and security markets with a multirole mission profile including SAR, traffic investigation, asset protection and military surveillance.
‘We don’t have sense and avoid capabilities, we don’t need it for the German market but would need it for international customers,’ Johannes Krick, sales manager at Quantum told Shephard, regarding other technologies.
‘For military customers we have an ADS-B in link so operators can see other aircraft coming by and there’s an option to add ADS-B out.’
Quantum will host international customer and German armed services demonstrations at its Munich headquarters in July, with an individual German SF demonstration set for September, before production begins at the end of this year, according to Krick.
‘We are not into mass production right now but I think there is a path to increase the units we are selling to civil customers. For the military market and law enforcement there is a huge demand especially for Scorpion and its gimbal solution,’ he said.
The German Armed Forces is expected to release a tender to industry for new unmanned systems in Q2 next year, according to Krick, with Vector and Scorpion set to be offered for the requirement, although he did not disclose any potential quantity of systems that would potentially change hands.
Quantum’s existing unmanned portfolio also includes the Tron F9 and Trinity fixed-wing UAV types used for land surveillance and ground mapping operations.
Source: Shephard