“As stated in the release on the US Army official portal, the MK 4.8 HQ aerosolting system from its developer, TEXTRON Systems, is an important milestone in the quick creation program …”, – WRITE ON: Armyinform.com.ua
Read for: 3 min. February 6 2025, 6:26
MK 4.8 Hybrid Quad Aerosnde. Photo: Textron Systems Pentagon received the Unmanned Textron MK 4.8 HQ Aerosnde as part of the new UAV for the US Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (FTUAS). As stated in the release on the US Army’s official portal, the MK 4.8 HQ aerosunding system from its developer, TEXTRON Systems, is an important milestone in the prototype creation program, the Army Informs reports.
“This achievement was the result of a comprehensive two -year development and testing process that included large -scale technical research, land tests and flight, as well as joint efforts for the supplier and the United States Government,” US Army said.
In turn, Textron Systems, known all over the world with its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel and a number of others, said that Dron MK 4.8 Hybrid Quad (HQ) is now part US Army.
«Aerosnde unmanned aerial vehicles® Textron Systems was designed for complex missions both on land and at sea, and has confirmed more than 700,000 hours of test flights in the most strict environmental conditions, including heat in the desert and Arctic cold, ”UAV producers emphasized.
MK 4.8 Hybrid Quad Aerosnde. Photo: Textron Systems The MK 4.8 Aerosund double -battered UAV is adhered to a hybrid scheme with a straight wing, four lifting screws with an electric drive and one screw with a drive from the Likoming internal combustion engine. The maximum run weight is 93 kg, weighing load 14 kg, flight duration up to 14 hours.
This drone is equipped with Hybrid Quadrotor technology, which provides vertical ride and landing (VTOL), makes it independent of traditional runways. Designed specifically for working in difficult conditions and harsh areas, Aerosnde HQ offers increased flexibility for military missions due to its ability to quickly deploy and control only two operators, which facilitates its transportation by UH-60 helicopters or tactical vehicles.
The system is characterized by endurance of the flight of 14 hours and can reach a height of more than 15,000 feet (4572 meters) above sea level. The use of heavy fuel engine (JP-8), which is widely included in the army for both land and air vehicles in all NATO countries. This simplifies logistics on Earth and reduces the need for additional auxiliary equipment.
MK 4.8 Hybrid Quad Aerosnde. Photo: Textron Systems Aerosond MK. 4.8 HQ is also developed on the basis of a modular open system approach (Mosa), which makes it easy to integrate new technologies and innovation, while optimizing needs and avoiding unnecessary costs.
This combination of functions makes Aerosnde HQ a reliable and adapted solution for intelligence missions and observation required for modern military operations.
Experts from the developer company claim that the drone can be deployed and launched in less than 30 minutes of preparatory work.
It is capable of carrying electro -optical and infrared (EO/IR) cameras, radar systems and signaling reconnaissance (SIGINT), providing operators with real -time intelligence data in both day and night.
Now the FTUAS project will continue to train army staff to new equipment so that they can get the qualification of instructors and operators at the Redstone test center on the MK 4.8 HQ Aerosnde system. This training is expected to be completed by early February 2025.
MK 4.8 Hybrid Quad Aerosnde. Photo: Textron Systems The US Army reported that FTUAS will provide brigade combat groups with organic capabilities for reconnaissance and supervisory operations, which will allow them to collect, develop and report prompt intelligence information. This will allow BCT commanders to maintain dominance during several domains.
In the budget project for 2025, the Pentagon invited $ 129 million funding for the construction of seven FTUAS devices. The re -equipment of the US Army’s battery units for FTUAS apparatus is expected in 2026. FTUAS is difficult to call mass, as one crew of land troops will have only 20 such devices.
MK 4.8 Hybrid Quad Aerosnde. Video: Textronsystems
