The UK Royal Army has taken delivery of first examples of a new nano drone that has been developed by BAE Systems and UAVTEK.
The two companies delivered a total of 30 Bug units to the British Army, which the service already tested as part of a trial program.
Weighing in at 196 grams, the Bug belongs to the nano unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) category, similarly to the Black Hornet nano-UAV in service with a number of military services.
Bug has 40 minutes of battery life and a 2km range. According to BAE Systems, the UAV has a low visual profile and the ability to fly even in strong winds of more than 50mph. It was reportedly the only nano-UAV able to cope with the uncompromising weather during a recent Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE) event.
“We delivered the Bug in partnership with UAVTEK, an SME that designs and builds UAVs from its workshop in the Cotswolds,” James Gerard, principal technologist at BAE Systems’ Applied Intelligence business said.
“In even the toughest weather, the Bug can deliver vital tactical intelligence on what’s around the corner or over the next hill, working autonomously to give troops a visual update,” Gerard added.
BAE and AUVTEK say they will continue work on the next developments on the nano-UAV, exploring sensing equipment and capabilities which could be added, as well as how the Bug could be integrated with other military equipment.
