The Brazilian Navy conducted test flights to evaluate the V-Bat 128 system produced by Shield AI/Martin UAV. This vertical take-off and landing drone features advanced aerodynamics and straight wings typical of high-altitude flights and a sophisticated remote control system.
The tests, which took place in the second half of September, involved personnel from the company es and the Brazilian Navy and were carried out by the Navy Aeronautics Directorate at the São Pedro da Aldeia Naval Air Base.
The V-Bat 128 is a Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) ARP that eliminates the need for launch and recovery equipment, capable of performing ground and embarked operations. It has a length of 2.74 m and a wingspan of 2.95 m, with 10 hours of autonomy and a maximum take-off weight of 56.6 kg.
The ARP can be configured with various payloads, such as electro-optical cameras (EO) and MWIR (medium wavelength infrared), AIS (automatic identification system) and synthetic aperture radar (SAR). The aircraft can be assembled quickly and the system can be carried by a light tactical vehicle or a light helicopter the size of the UH-15.