Resolute Eagle
American Aerospace Technologies, Inc Resolute Eagle is a long-endurance Group 3 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) "developed" by PAE ISR, based in Sterling, Virginia.[1][2] Designed for military, homeland security, law enforcement and humanitarian use, Resolute Eagle comes in two configurations:
- A standard fixed-wing airframe and
- A hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) alternative.
The standard fixed-wing UAS is launched by light catapult and lands by skidding to a halt on its belly. As such, no runway is needed for recovery.[3]
The hybrid VTOL Resolute Eagle, by contrast, requires an even smaller logistical footprint. It has two mounted, battery-powered booms with four propellers, so it can take off and land like a helicopter—but still cruise for long distances like a plane.[4]
In December 2019, PAE sold the Resolute Eagle and Resolute Eagle IP to AATI.[5]
Testing and certification
In November 2017, the Resolute Eagle conducted its first commercial airspace flight at the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex, at Pendleton Airport, in Oregon.[6] The following November, the VTOL version of the UAS received an interim flight clearance from U.S. Naval Air Systems Command.[7]
Contracts
In June 2017, PAE ISR was one of four companies tapped by the U.S. Navy to compete for a position on a potential five-year, $1.73 billion contract to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support services.[8]
The following year, in October, PAE ISR was one of three organizations selected by NASA to conduct, by July 2020, a flight demonstration of UAS sense-and-avoid technologies to be included in the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration in the National Airspace System Project.[9]
In November 2018, the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate chose PAE ISR to participate in the Robotic Aircraft Sensor Program—Borders (RASP-B), designed to assess small, flight-proven UAS for border security missions.[10]
Payloads
Resolute Eagle is designed to be a long-endurance, multi-intelligence platform.
Current payloads include the TASE400 LD optical and laser designation system [11] and MPU5 mobile ad hoc network (MANET) radio [12] But company officials say that they are considering wide-area motion imagery (WAMI), synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and a signals intelligence (SIGINT) package as add-on options.[13] Both configurations of the Resolute Eagle are also capable of being armed.[14]
According to company officials, PAE ISR is now reducing the weight of the Resolute Eagle in order to double its payload capacity.[15][16]
Specifications
Wingspan | 18.2 feet |
Length | 9.5 feet |
Service Ceiling | 15,000-17,000 feet |
Endurance | 12-18+ hours |
Speed (dash/cruise) | 100 kts/50 kts |
Engine Power | 15.4 hp (11.4 kW) |
Maximum Takeoff Weight | 220-265 lbs |
Empty Weight | 120-190 lbs |
Maximum Payload Weight | 75 lbs |
Onboard Power | 1,150+ watts |
Payload Bays | Fuselage and underwing bays |
Communications | Line of Sight (LOS) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) |
Sources:[17][18] | |
Other hybrid VTOL UAS
- Textron Systems Aerosonde HQ SUAS
- L3 Latitude FVR-90
- IAI/Hankuk Carbon Panther FE
- Arcturus JUMP-20
- ALTI Transition
- KWT-350 VTOL Fixed-wing UAV
- Carbonix Volanti
References
- "Offerings." PAE ISR. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- "Inside PAE's unmanned aircraft strategy." Washington Technology. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- "Standard Version." PAE ISR. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Host, Pat."LAAD 2019: PAE ISR seeks to reduce Resolute Eagle tactical UAV weight." Jane's 360. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Wakeman, Nick (18 December 2019). "PAE signs off on divestiture before it goes public". Washington Technology.
- "PAE ISR's Resolute Eagle UAS completes first commercial airspace flight." AUVSI News. 15 November 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Forrester, Anna. "PAE ISR Earns Interim Flight Clearance for VTOL Resolute Eagle Drone." GovConWire. 28 November 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Edwards, Jane."4 Firms Land Spots on $1.73B Navy Drone ISR Services IDIQ." GovConWire. 12 June 2017. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Sierra, Antonio."Pendleton NASA to join testing at range." East Oregonian. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- " Blinde,Loren. "DHS selects PAE ISR for RASP-B program." Intelligence Community News. 4 December 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Miller, Patrick C. "Resolute Eagle UAS to be equipped with TASE400 LD system." UAS Magazine. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Zazulia, Nick. "PAE ISR Picks Persistent for Resolute Eagle Radio." Rotor & Wing International. 27 December 2018. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Host, Pat. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Ibid. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Ibid. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- Martin, Tim."AUVSI 2019: Resolute Eagle to double payload capacity. UV (Unmanned Vehicles). 1 May 2019. "Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- "Resolute Eagle Characteristics: Standard Configuration." PAE ISR. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
- "Resolute Eagle Characteristics: Vertical Takeoff and Landing." PAE ISR. Retrieved 30 May 2019.