The U.S. Navy through PMA 263 has chosen KHAero to provide their first electric, solar-powered VTOL UAS. It will be fielded by the United States Marine Corps Small Unit Remote Scouting System. The Navy asked KHAero to demonstrate their offering through a comprehensive evaluation of capabilities. Conducted at both KHAero and government test facilities, and overseen by UAS Research and Operations Center at the University of Maryland, this included evaluation of:
- Enhanced manoeuvrability and reduced transportation and logistics requirements radically simplify the operational footprint required to operate a UAS from 120-150 people to under 5. In fact, we showcased the ability to operate the KHAero solution with a two-person team including flight operations, maintenance, logistics and support.
- Quiet operations to minimize the risk of detection. The K1000ULE UAS flies, making minimal noise, and goes nearly undetected by radars.
- Long Flight time (endurance), where the K1000ULE remains a world leader
- Vertical take-off and landing capabilities, ensuring independence from traditional runways
- The ability to operate in various environmental conditions, including day and night
- Reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition tests
- Compliance with SOCOM modular open system architectures (MOSA)
- Mission systems packages, including KHAero full motion video capabilities that incorporate target identification and classification
Once in the hands of the Marine Corps., the attributes above will enhance the Navy’s capacity to perform Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations better, simpler, faster, and more cost effectively with the ultimate objective to save lives. Additionally, the navy will get enhanced beyond line of sight communication capabilities to be able to provide continued coverage in denied and contested environments.
The winning solution package from KHAero stands out from the perspective of both software and hardware. The K1000ULE, while providing the longest flight endurance in eVTOL category, is also enabled to share information between different platforms, repositioning aircraft on demand based on sensor needs, while dynamically populating the Common Operating Picture.
A single operator can operate a swarm of K1000ULE unmanned platforms through our simple user interface, identifying a specific coverage area and then launching the correct number of assets. The pilot can view flight time, number of assets in the sky, battery power and positioning. Additionally, the operator can review or change coverage area or mission objectives using a gamified and simple user interface.
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