Kraus Hamdani Aerospace (KHA) has accomplished a sequence of cross-country electrical unmanned operations at Pendleton UAS Vary (PUR) utilizing its K1000ULE platform in direct help of the U.S. Military’s 1st Multi-Area Process Pressure (1MDTF). The demonstration validated operational workflows for distributed protection missions requiring launch and restoration at completely different geographic places.
The K1000ULE efficiently executed an 18 km mission profile that established sensible point-to-point electrical UAS operations whereas sustaining full connectivity by means of relay-extended vary capabilities. In line with a 1MDTF Soldier concerned within the testing, “Because of KHA’s earlier mission testing at Pendleton UAS Vary, we have been in a position to execute the idea of launching and touchdown the K1000ULE UAS at completely different websites, together with using a mesh community relay by means of one other plane to land with out Digital Line of Sight (ELOS) from the bottom management station to the touchdown platform.”
Pendleton and KHA See Actual Outcomes
The flights delivered two key operational benefits for 1MDTF, demonstrating deliberate launch and restoration at separate places with out requiring emergency touchdown capabilities. Second, relay-extended connectivity was achieved by means of an Air Information Relay (ADR), the place one plane maintained connectivity between management stations and the mission plane whereas recovering on the alternate website. This functionality extends operational attain whereas preserving management and situational consciousness, which will be important for Pacific operations the place forces should function throughout dispersed places with restricted floor line of sight.
For 1MDTF, the validated workflow reduces deployment threat by enabling groups to reposition throughout a number of websites whereas sustaining tools weight effectivity. The flights performed within the FAA’s nationwide airspace at PUR offered 1MDTF with confirmed operational profiles and documented flight logs forward of deployment.
The demonstration builds on KHA’s long-endurance roadmap at Pendleton UAS Vary. In summer season 2023, the K1000ULE accomplished a 75-hour and 35-minute steady flight at PUR, setting a brand new world endurance document within the Group 2 fixed-wing class. “Pendleton is greater than a check website; we’re a proving floor for the following era of flight,” mentioned Jesse Steele, Vary Supervisor. “Our strategy is rooted on supporting innovators like Kraus Hamdani to function sooner, safer, and extra affordably.”
Extra details about Pendleton UAS Vary is offered right here. Extra info on Kraus Hamdani Aerospace is offered right here.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist specializing in drone know-how and life-style content material at Dronelife. He’s based mostly between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys mountaineering and Boston space sports activities.