The MQ-9 Reaper developer successfully tested the Orlyatko small-sized drone
General Atomics engineers conducted flight tests of a new drone. According to Defense News, the innovative aircraft is called Eaglet. Literally translated from English, it means ‘Eagle’. Eaglet was launched from the US Air Force’s Gray Eagle drone during flight testing.
The novelty is positioned by the manufacturing company as an ‘inexpensive and durable’ air-based device. It was originally designed to be launched from aircraft, helicopters and large UAVs. The Eaglet drone can be used for intelligence gathering, data transmission, communications, and more. Thus, ‘Orlyatko’ is a multifunctional drone.
According to David Alexander, who serves as CEO of General Atomics, using the Eaglet in tandem with the Gray Eagle allows for an extended range of the UAV. Before launching the drone, the ‘Grey Eagle’ can fly several thousand kilometers. The appearance of Eaglet drones in service with the US Air Force will make it possible to increase the retention of manned military aircraft.
In January, General Ben Hodges called the Gray Eagle a weapon capable of providing Ukraine with victory in the war with Russia. The former commander of the American army in Europe emphasized the fact that with the help of long-range drones, the Armed Forces of Ukraine will be able to strike the missile bases of the Russian Armed Forces and the Crimean Bridge.
