Switchblade has a competitor: engineers have created a combat Wasp to strengthen the army
The reconnaissance drone can be deployed in less than three seconds and can fly up to 24 km with a payload.
ISS Aerospace presented a working prototype of the WASP M4-TL tactical reconnaissance drone with a pipe-shaped launcher, similar to the well-known Switchblade barrage munitions used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to fight the Russian invaders, at DSEI 2023 in London. The developers have published technical specifications on the official website.
“Wasp” means “wasp” in English. The new drone is ready to fly in less than three seconds and can cover a distance of 24 kilometers to conduct reconnaissance. It should be noted that the main strike competitor of this Switchblade 300 reconnaissance drone, which is already in use by the military, can only fly 10 kilometers. There is also an improved version called Switchblade 600, and its range is much longer – up to 80 kilometers.
Developers from ISS Aerospace claim that WASP M4-TL is a new generation technology for semi-autonomous aircraft systems. The launcher can be operated by the soldier either on the spot or at a remote distance remotely for his safety, so as not to come under enemy fire.
Depending on the mission, the entire system is reusable: if this reconnaissance drone is not shot down, it can be reloaded into the tube and used again. Moreover, as the engineers promise, the drone can be stored in this folded state for many years and remain ready for quick use, which is very important for warehouse storage at a military base, for example.
The WASP M4-TL is equipped with a high-performance gimbal-mounted EO/IR camera with rangefinder and a modular payload system of up to 1.5 kg. The payload can be delivered with an accuracy of up to 24 km.
By “payload,” the manufacturer means the delivery of medicines, for example. Theoretically, the drone can be equipped with an explosive warhead, but the developers themselves have not announced such a feature. However, they noted that “the types of payloads will be developed in cooperation with partners,” so the drone may become a universal UAV for both reconnaissance and strikes against the enemy.
