Exploration, mapping and defeat. UAV / loitering ammunition Elbit Lanius
UAV Lanius in ambush
The Israeli company Elbit Systems has introduced a new lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle, the Lanius quadrocopter. It is intended for reconnaissance in an urban environment and use as a loitering munition. In the development of such a UAV, developments and solutions from various fields were used, thanks to which it was possible to obtain special working and combat capabilities.
Newest sample
The developer company published materials on the new Lanius project in early November. Skin Revealed drone and some of its technical features, the main tactical and technical characteristics, tasks and capabilities are named. An advertising video has also been published showing the combat use of such an UAV for solving various tasks.
It is reported that the Lanius product is part of a promising family of unmanned and robotic systems Legion-X, designed to support ground units. If necessary, the new UAV will be able to interact with other systems of the family and receive additional benefits with their help or help them in solving their own problems.
Lanius is intended for use in urban areas, incl. inside buildings, or in other specific conditions. The hardware and software of the drone provides flight and orientation, as well as reconnaissance and the collection of various data. If necessary, it is possible to use a warhead, but in this case the UAV becomes disposable. It is noted that the use as loitering ammunition is not associated with significant collateral damage.
Remote Control
The main functions and capabilities of Lanius are demonstrated in a commercial. It shows how a rifle unit is fighting in urban areas and advancing on enemy positions. With the help of several UAVs, the unit studies the area and makes its three-dimensional model, and also reveals the location of enemies. Then the drones, in the mode of loitering ammunition, clean up the building and eliminate enemy forces. The combat mission was performed in an exemplary manner and without losses - with the exception of the UAVs that "sacrificed themselves."
Judging by the publication of information, Elbit Systems has already completed the development of a new UAV and has carried out the necessary tests. Now begins an advertising campaign aimed at obtaining contracts. Time will tell how soon the first orders will appear and where the serial UAVs will go.
Technical features
Elbit Lanius is a compact quadcopter with a distinctive look. It is built on a cruciform frame, on the beams of which propeller groups are placed. In the center on top is a large casing with optics and various devices. Additional sensors and a battery are suspended from below. Such a UAV has dimensions of 294 x 294 mm with a height of 167 mm. The maximum takeoff weight is 1,25 kg; payload - 150 g.
The quadcopter is equipped with four electric motors of an unnamed model and three-bladed propellers. The motors and electronics are powered by a removable 14,8 V battery with a capacity of 1800 mAh. On one charge, the UAV is capable of flying for about 7 minutes. The maximum speed is 20 m/s. It is intended to work only at low altitudes.
Visualization of the compilation of a three-dimensional model of the building
In front of the upper case there are several cameras for different purposes. Below the frame is a laser system, range finder and / or target designator. The UAV is equipped with a navigation system and a full-fledged on-board computer with artificial intelligence, due to which new functions are implemented.
It is reported that when creating the design of the drone and the software, solutions borrowed from racing quadrocopters were used. Due to this, the flight characteristics of the autopilot are improved, in particular, high maneuverability and stability are achieved.
Special Features
The UAV is equipped with a compact Nvidia Jetson TX2 computer with original software. With the help of onboard optics, the computer collects maximum data about the environment and compiles a three-dimensional terrain model in real time. The UAV also identifies moving objects, such as manpower, and marks their position on the overall map. The model is used for in-flight navigation and is also handed over to the operator.
"Lanius" is able to work on the operator's commands, transmitting a video signal and telemetry to the console. In this case, the operator gives only general commands, while flying in the indicated direction, avoiding obstacles, etc. are carried out automatically. It is also possible to automatically fly along a given route, incl. in radio silence mode.
Drone-carriers with "Lanius" on board
A combat duty mode is provided at a given point. So, the commercial shows how the UAV takes a position in the room and monitors the entrance to it. When the door opens and an enemy enters, the drone takes off and attacks them.
Together with the Lanius UAV, a compact control panel similar to a tablet computer is used. The video signal from the drone is displayed on its screen; it also displays "controls". There are no physical buttons or controls. Depending on the operating mode, the operator can constantly control the drone or only monitor its operation. At the same time, in all cases, a person gives the command to undermine the warhead.
In the loitering configuration, Lanius can carry a light high-explosive fragmentation warhead or some non-lethal payload, the type of which is not disclosed. Due to the limited characteristics of the platform, the warhead has a low mass. It is sufficient to defeat manpower or unprotected equipment, but the radius of destruction is small, which reduces the risk of collateral damage.
The small size and weight of the Lanius complex do not impose special requirements for transportation and use. Such devices can be carried by the operator, and several pieces at once. The option of placing light UAVs on a larger carrier multicopter is also shown. The latter is responsible for the delivery of loitering ammunition to the area of application, which allows to increase the overall range of the system. In addition, the carrier can become a means of preliminary detection, and additional reconnaissance and defeat are assigned to small drones.
Features and limitations
The Lanius project from Elbit Systems is at least of technical interest. In one project, it was possible to collect developments on reconnaissance and sports UAVs, as well as supplement them with the characteristic capabilities of loitering ammunition. At the same time, the finished drone has a minimum size and weight.
Of particular interest are the announced control technologies and related capabilities. "Lanius" is able not only to observe the area and help in the detection of various objects. It can automatically compile maps of open spaces and premises, moreover, in a three-dimensional format and with marks of manpower. The benefits of such data are obvious: they will help the unit using the UAV to better study the area and plan their actions.
Due to the appropriate payload, Lanius can work as a loitering ammunition or a kind of "mine". Such features will be useful in different situations. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that due to the developed and complex control system, such a UAV is very expensive - and such equipment should be used and spent wisely.
It should be noted that it is the high complexity and the corresponding cost that are perhaps the main disadvantages of the Lanius UAV. It is also impossible to exclude the persistence of certain shortcomings in complex software that may interfere with the full-fledged reconnaissance and mapping.
Target found, UAV ready to blow up
The payload of the product does not exceed 150 g. Probably, it is this mass that the warhead in the loitering ammunition version has. Such a charge is sufficient to deal with manpower and unprotected equipment. In this case, the defeat of buildings or armored vehicles is excluded, which significantly limits the operational capabilities of the drone.
Combining concepts
In general, the promising Lanius UAV from Elbit Systems is a rather interesting development. This project combines several different concepts, and the final result compares favorably with other drones capable of performing only one task.
However, over-complexity and emphasis on versatility can be a problem. With all its advantages, Lanius can be unacceptably expensive for potential customers. In addition, obvious or hidden shortcomings and limitations can outweigh its strengths. Whether the new model will be able to show its best side and find customers, time will tell.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Elbit Systems
Information