V-BAT (MDS Name: MQ-35A) is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle originally developed by Martin UAV, now Shield AI.
| V-BAT (MQ-35A) | |
|---|---|
| |
| V-BAT lands on USS Carter Hall in May 2023 | |
| Role | UAV |
| National origin | United States |
| Manufacturer | Shield AI |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | United States Navy |
In late April 2021, the United States Navy selected the V-BAT for prototyping and development.[1]
In February 2022, Brazilian company VSK Tactical ordered an undisclosed number of V-BATs for security and monitoring roles.[2]
On 21 December 2022, a V-BAT, together with a Skyways V2.6B UAV, made the first unmanned cargo deliveries to a US Navy ship at sea with each UAV carrying a cargo of 22.5 kg 200 nm (370 km) onto a moving ship.[3]
In March 2023, the United States Army announced that the V-BAT had been selected to compete in its Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (FTUAS) competition, Increment 2 to replace the RQ-7B Shadow. Shield AI teamed with Northrop Grumman for the competition.[4]
On 9 October 2023, Shield AI announced that the V-BAT had a drone-swarming capability.[5]
In November 2024, Shield AI partnered with JSW Defense and Aerospace to manufacture the V-BAT drones in India. JSW shall be investing $90 million over the next 2 years of which $65 million will be invested within 12 months to establish a "global compliance programme", manufacturing facility, technology licensing and train parsonnel.[6][7]
Specifications
editGeneral characteristics
- Crew: none
- Length: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Wingspan: 9.7 ft (3.0 m)
- Gross weight: 125 lb (57 kg)
- Powerplant: 1 × Suter TOA 288 two-cylinder engine
Performance
- Maximum speed: 56 mph (90 km/h, 49 kn)
- Endurance: 10 hours
- Service ceiling: 20,000 ft (6,100 m)
Avionics
electro-optical (EO)/mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras
References
edit- ^ "US Navy selects Martin UAV's V-BAT for VTOL UAS prototyping effort". Naval Technology. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Brazil orders V-Bat | Shephard". 8 February 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Ryan Finnerty (30 December 2022). "UAVs deliver cargo to US Navy ship at sea for first time". Flight Global. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "US Army Selects Northrop Grumman, Teamed with Shield AI, for Future Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Prototype". Northrop Grumman Corporation. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ "Shield AI unveils V-BAT teams drone swarm tech with eye to replicator". Defense News. 10 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Levina (2024-11-26). "Deployed to Israel America's MQ-35A V-BAT Unmanned Aerial Systems Will Now Be Manufactured in India - RESONANT NEWS". RESONANT NEWS. Retrieved 2024-11-27.
- ^ Clark, Colin (2024-11-27). "US drone maker Shield AI moves into Indian defense market, joint venture with JSW Group". Breaking Defense. Retrieved 2024-11-28.
