Insitu has launched the next-generation variant of its ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the on-going Euronaval Exhibition and Conference in Paris, France.
Called ScanEagle 2, the system features a more robust navigation system than its predecessor, better image quality due to a fully digital video system, and an advanced, purpose-built propulsion system.
The drone leverages lessons learned from ScanEagle’s more than 800,000 operational hours, and provides increased payload power and expanded payload options.
Insitu claims the UAV’s propulsion system is the first reciprocating internal combustion propulsion system designed and manufactured specifically for small-unmanned-aircraft-systems-class vehicles.
Insitu president and chief executive officer Ryan Hartman said: "ScanEagle 2 will shepherd us into the next two decades as we focus on reliability and affordability and enter the civil/commercial market. And as ScanEagle has always done, ScanEagle 2 will provide the capability our warfighters have come to expect from Insitu – yet more affordable and more capable."
ScanEagle uses a whole-systems approach to affordability and higher reliability, enables commonality with other unmanned systems due to an open-architecture ground control system, and shares a launch-and-recovery system with Insitu’s Integrator unmanned platform.
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