Professional UAS AEROSONDE® SUAS

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Overview
Designed for expeditionary land- and sea-based operations, the Aerosonde® Mk. 4.7 family from Textron Systems delivers multi-mission ISR capability in a compact, field-proven UAS. Configurable for simultaneous day/night FMV, communications relay, signals intelligence and a customer-selected payload, the platform has accrued over 750,000 flight hours across extreme environments. Turnkey ISR services, operators and instructor-led training are available to support deployment and sustainment.

System Capabilities

• Low visual and auditory signature for discreet operations
• Proven heavy-fuel engine compatibility (JP‑5, JP‑8, F44, Jet‑A, Jet‑A1)
• Multi-INT operation with up to six payloads in a single sortie
• More than 40 payload options including:
  • Full‑Motion Video (FMV) and day/night imaging
  • Maritime Wide Area Search (MWAS)
  • Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
  • Automatic Identification System (AIS)
  • Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS‑B)
  • Electronic Warfare (EW)
  • Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
  • Communications Intelligence (COMINT)
  • Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
  • 3D multispectral mapping
  • Voice communications relay
  • Ad-hoc networking (MANET)
  • Anti‑Jam / Alternative PNT

Contract Vehicles
Textron Systems participates on applicable contract vehicles, including ASTRO managed by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), to support procurements of manned, unmanned and optionally manned platforms and robotics.

Configurations
Aerosonde® Mk. 4.7 Fixed Wing
The Mk. 4.7 Fixed Wing configuration provides extended endurance and a compact launch and recovery solution for constrained land and shipboard operations.

• Service Ceiling: 15,000 ft (4,572 m)
• Max Endurance: 19 hours (EO/IR)
• LOS Range: 75 nm (140 km)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 93 lb (42.2 kg)
• Payload Capacity: Up to 32 lb (14.5 kg)
• Datalink Bands: L, S, C, UHF, LEO — Starlink/Starshield
• Wingspan: 14.45 ft (4.4 m)
• Automated Launch & Recovery: Hydraulic/pneumatic launcher with net recovery
• Airspeed: 42–65 kt

Aerosonde® Mk. 4.7 VTOL
The Mk. 4.7 VTOL uses hybrid quadrotor technology to enable runway-independent operations and increased mission flexibility.

• Service Ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,048 m)
• Max Endurance: 13 hours (EO/IR)
• LOS Range: 75 nm (140 km)
• Max Takeoff Weight: 122 lb (54.4 kg)
• Payload Capacity: Up to 32 lb (14.5 kg)
• Datalink Bands: L, S, C, UHF, LEO — Starlink/Starshield
• Wingspan: 14.45 ft (4.4 m)
• Automated Launch & Recovery: Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)
• Airspeed: 47–70 kt
• Transition Altitude: up to 150 ft (46 m)

Blackstone & Training Support
The Aerosonde Center of Excellence in Blackstone, VA (38,000 sq ft) supports full lifecycle activities: production, assembly, testing, logistics and instructor-led training for familiarization, crewmember qualification and maintenance certification.

Technical specifications

• Family: Aerosonde® UAS (Mk. 4.7 series)
• Primary missions: ISR, FMV (day/night), SAR, LiDAR, MWAS, SIGINT/COMINT, EW, ADS‑B/AIS, voice relay, MANET, APNT/Anti‑Jam
• Engines: Heavy‑fuel engine compatibility (JP‑5, JP‑8, F44, Jet‑A, Jet‑A1)
• Multi-payload: Up to six payloads simultaneously
• Endurance: Up to 19 h (Fixed Wing) / 13 h (VTOL) depending on payload
• LOS Range: ~75 nm (140 km)
• Service ceilings: Fixed Wing 15,000 ft / VTOL 10,000 ft
• Max takeoff weight: Fixed Wing 93 lb / VTOL 122 lb
• Payload capacity: Up to 32 lb (14.5 kg)
• Wingspan: 14.45 ft (4.4 m)
• Airspeed ranges: Fixed Wing 42–65 kt / VTOL 47–70 kt
• Launch & recovery: Hydraulic/pneumatic launcher + net recovery (Fixed Wing); VTOL takeoff/landing (VTOL)
• Datalink: L, S, C, UHF, LEO and Starlink/Starshield support
• Operational history: 750,000+ flight hours in varied environments