INDAGO 3’s minimal radio frequency footprint explained

The newest version of Lockheed Martin’s all-weather INDAGO quadrotor unmanned aerial system (UAS), the INDAGO 3, enables military customers to securely complete sensitive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions thanks to TrellisWare Technologies software products.

Compared to previous versions of INDAGO, the enhanced INDAGO 3 system offers:

• Improved propulsion technology for reduced noise signature and extended flight time;
• Military-grade encrypted and secure data link;
• Secure, mesh capable video dissemination across multi-node networks and
• Extended range radio for long distance operation at low-flight altitudes.

Along with a low acoustic and visual signature during startup and flight, INDAGO 3 is also available in haze grey, minimising visual detection during missions. Depending on payloads, INDAGO 3 has a flight time of up to 50 minutes, a range of 10km and a cruise speed of 25mph and can operate at temperatures as low as 30-degrees below zero, and as high as 120 degrees.

“INDAGO 3 gives our customers a quiet, durable, long-range system to complete sensitive operations with a small UAS,” Rich Bonnett, INDAGO Program Manager, Lockheed Martin Unmanned Systems, said. “Our military customers tell us that INDAGO 3 gives them superior security, reliability and ruggedness compared to other UAS. We continue to enhance the INDAGO system based on customer feedback.”

INDAGO 3’s minimal radio frequency footprint is achieved by using the TW-600 OCELOT module by TrellisWare. “The OCELOT module, equipped with TrellisWare’s robust TSM networking, is built specifically for integration into UAS,” Matt Fallows, Director of Applications & Systems at TrellisWare, explained. “We are pleased to partner with Lockheed Martin to help enhance INDAGO 3’s airborne networking in challenging environments with reliable and long range connections.”

The collapsible INDAGO quadrotor UAS weighs less than 5lbs. and folds into a man-packable unit that requires no tools for assembly. INDAGO can be unfolded in 60 seconds, and airborne in just 2.5 minutes. INDAGO 3 offers additional durability for operation in harsh environments and weather conditions.