Vertical take-off: German military buys modernised reconnaissance drones
After more than a decade, the Bundeswehr is replacing its 145 quadrocopters with a revised model. It comes from the same company, is foldable and can mark targets. The overall system in the backpack weighs 15 kilograms.
The Armed Forces’ branches can look forward to145 new quadrocopters for “imaging reconnaissance.” The order was placed via the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), which is now providing information about it. The contract was awarded back in May.
The new drones will be handed over in Summer 2023, with delivery to be completed by 2024. Operator training should also be completed by then.
Predecessor in service since 2011
The contract was awarded to the German company AirRobot from Arnsberg in the Sauerland region for its AR100-H drone, a modernized version of the AR100-B, which has been in service with the Bundeswehr in the same numbers since 2011.
According to the manufacturer, the drone has now completed more than 24,000 flight hours. As recently as 2018, the BAAINBw had awarded a new maintenance contract for the AR100-B to AirRobot.
The procurement has taken place within the planned time frame, the office emphasizes. It was preceded by a Europe-wide tendering competition by its responsible contract and project units. The bids were evaluated after a flight demonstration by the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle (WTD) 61 in Manching.
Optional “look-along” system
The BAAINBw describes the quadrocopter as a “state-of-the-art system.” AirRobot cites a payload of 450 grams with a takeoff weight of nearly 3....
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