Can stay in the sky for 15 hours: FVR-90 reconnaissance drone with a heavy fuel engine (photos, video)
L3Harris is developing a heavy fuel engine for the FVR-90 reconnaissance drone with a vertical takeoff and landing system (VTOL) on behalf of the US Navy.
The A99 HFE heavy fuel engine will allow the drone to have an increased flight range and improved maneuverability. L3Harris will also offer new infrared camera modules and a CMDL tactical radio for the drone.
The FVR-90 drone is 2.48 meters long, 4.8 meters wide, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 53 kg. A team of two specialists can set up and launch a drone for a mission.
The modularity of the design allows the drone to be equipped with various modules for various reconnaissance operations, taking into account the tasks assigned.
The FVR-90 drone can be equipped with a stabilized multisensor multispectral imaging system WESCAM MX-8. Electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR). It contains a mid-wave infrared (MWIR) camera and an optional metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor. The drone is equipped with a Class 1 laser rangefinder and a Class 3b laser illuminator with a wavelength of 852 nm.
The drone uses primary and secondary data channels. The primary transmission channel has a delay of less than 500 ms. The transmission speed is 40 Mbps with a distance of 60 km and 1 Mbps with a distance of 100 km. The UAV can autonomously barrage, land, and return to the base in case of loss of communication.
The unmanned system can be equipped with additional communication systems, including the M receiver for GPS-free operation and Iridium satellite communication. The maximum autonomy of the drone is 15 hours, taking into account the installed payload.
