Electric Engines Broaden Mission Suitability
On 1 September, Israel-based Steadicopter has unveiled two new additions to its BLACK EAGLE family of UAS – the 25E and 50E – featuring electric propulsion and adapted for internal security, law enforcement, maritime and covert operations. The lightweight models provide for operational flexibility while adhering to regulatory and operational requirements.
Converting BLACK EAGLE 50 to an electric-powered engine has significantly reduced the weight of the air vehicle, enabling additional, sorely needed payload capacity for a variety of missions. Weighing only 18kg, the platform is able to carry additional batteries for longer flights or heavier payloads. The BLACK EAGLE 25E is designed for weights up to 25kg, making it suitable for tactical and urban missions; the BLACK EAGLE 50E, weighing up to 35kg, enables a best-in-class flight envelope with a wide range of mission payloads, giving users high mission versatility for covert operations.
With no logistic footprint, the two new models are a perfect fit for the increasingly important maritime domain. The small size of these systems allows for efficient and safe operation. From a wide variety of vessels to the busiest offshore platforms, the BLACK EAGLE family offers a comprehensive solution for demanding maritime applications, such as infrastructure security, EEZ enforcement, anti-piracy and unauthorised fishing, search and rescue, offshore cargo supply and more. All BLACK EAGLE systems are certified for harsh maritime operating missions, in line with IP67 environmental standards.
Powered by electric engines, the platforms are extremely cost effective, simple to operate, easy to maintain and, with no need for fuel storage, both environmentally friendly and safe. They have all the proven capabilities of the gasoline-powered BLACK EAGLE 50, including vertical take-off and landing, a robotic observation system for civil, military and HLS missions, PLUS day and night vision. Additionally, they are adaptable for high-altitude flights, giving them wider mission suitability.
“There is a clear operational need for an electric version of a VTOL aircraft, and the company’s three products – the BLACK EAGLE 50, BLACK EAGLE 25E, and BLACK EAGLE 50E – provide an accurate response to the customer’s regulatory and operational needs, both strategically and tactically. These electric helicopters are suitable for use in a wide range of military and civilian missions, such as search and rescue, cyber, intelligence, gas and oil rigs and high-end naval missions. They also provide the perfect solution for service companies who until now have used drones to scan and monitor power lines, for example, enabling them to deliver a higher level of service to their customers,” offered Steadicopter’s Sales and Marketing Director, Noam Lidor.
