Configuration Will be Specifically Optimised to Meet Swiss Army Requirements
Swiss defence procurement agency armasuisse has contracted Lockheed Martin to supply a fleet of INDAGO 3 small UAS (sUAS) to the Swiss Army, specifically configured to the service’s requirements. The contract also has options for spares, training, technical support and additional sUAS.
The first phase comprises manufacturing development to optimise Indago 3 to meet Swiss Army requirements, which include:
• A ‘sense and avoid’ transponder;
• A Silvus Technologies’ radio; and
• Lockheed Martin CDL Systems’ VCSi Touch SUAS Ground Control System software, which includes access to Swiss maps, including digital terrain elevation data (DTED), and geofencing.
The first set of optimised systems will be delivered later this year, with the remaining systems to be delivered several months later. These INDAGO 3s will support tactical-level reconnaissance and surveillance to support information collection, search and rescue, disaster relief and battle damage assessment mission sets.
“INDAGO 3 is uniquely qualified to support the Swiss Army’s mission needs,” said Steve Fortson, UAS Portfolio Manager at Lockheed Martin. “INDAGOs operate very quietly from relatively low altitude and provide high fidelity sensor imagery. They are simple to use and require minimal training so soldiers can quickly execute their mission. The Silvus Technologies radios also deliver best-in-class performance and efficiency in a miniature package. They’re ideal for use in portable and embedded applications where size, weight, power and cost are key.”
Depending on payload and operating environment, INDAGO 3 has a flight time of up to 50min, a range of 10km, a cruise speed of 25kts and dash speed of up to 40kts. It can also operate at temperatures as low as -30°F and as high as +120°. Additionally, it is cyber-secure, with high-fidelity colour and IR 3-axis stabilized sensors: and at approximately 5lbs, INDAGO can be easily transported by a single backpack and deployed in less than three minutes.