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Large, fixed wing Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) have traditionally played a pivotal role in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions under a wide variety of circumstances around the world. Offering a long flight duration, high payload capacity, and an extensive range, these UAS checked many of the must-haves for operators in contested or rugged environments where close-range access to targets is difficult or impossible.

But what about highly contested environments like the Ukraine battlespace, which require even greater adaptability in addition to the ability to deploy at long ranges?

As mission landscapes continue to evolve, there is an increasing need for aircraft with the same performance impact as a large UAS to deliver the convenience and flexibility, but all with a much smaller logistics footprint. While previously overlooked for more robust ISR operations, small, fixed wing UAS capabilities are quickly advancing to keep pace with their larger counterparts. Easily portable, quickly deployed, and maneuverable, small UAS allow for the flexibility needed across multiple mission requirements.

“There is a growing need for a single, highly flexible UAS that can meet the needs at all echelons, from the company level to the brigade,” said Allen Gardner, CTO of Edge Autonomy, a leading provider of uncrewed autonomous systems.

With more than three decades of aerospace engineering, manufacturing expertise, and advanced technology experience, Edge Autonomy is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the field-proven VXE30 Stalker small UAS (sUAS). The VXE30 Stalker has years of deployed operations and more than 100,000 flight hours across six continents to provide the warfighter with an unparalleled system that is ready for use on the battlefield.

With a major performance enhancement to the VXE30 Stalker sUAS through a series of subsystem upgrades – known collectively as the “Havoc” configuration – Edge Autonomy has more than doubled the flight endurance and payload capacity of the base VXE30 Stalker system. This not only contributes to the closing gap between the capabilities of small UAS and large UAS, but does so without the need to completely reengineer the existing fielded system or retrain system operators.

These advanced capabilities completely expand what is possible with a lightweight, tactical UAS. With the integration of beyond line of sight (BLOS) capabilities, such as SATCOM, the Havoc is able to perform roles previously executed by larger Group 5 aircraft. The smaller and more efficient configuration of the Havoc allows one or two operators to carry out all system logistics – from transportation to assembly to launch – in less than 15 minutes and provide persistent ISR coverage from up to 500km away.  

This configuration also allows to the warfighter to expand mission operations to other areas beyond ISR. The integration of kinetic delivery capabilities means the aircraft can also serve as surgical strike vehicle, carrying multiple munitions to engage enemy targets. To further tactical operations, the Havoc also integrates first person view (FVP) drone payloads with the ability to deliver these drones into battle from long range, allowing the FVP operator greater standoff distance from the enemy. The effect of these FVPs in highly contested environments like the Ukraine battlespace cannot be ignored. The ability to deploy a long-range asset to act as a relay greatly extends mission reach of to engage the enemy with precision from distance.

“We have been evolving the Stalker series for nearly two decades, basing our innovation on feedback from the field to meet the real needs of our customers,” said Gardner. “By upgrading key subsystems on the VXE30, we provide a solution that is light and mobile enough for small forward-deployed units while also able to hit the payload capacity, range, and endurance numbers of the higher echelons – all with the field-proven, silent, VTOL configuration sUAS that our customers have relied on for years.”

With the flexibility and adaptability to host a wide variety of configurations – all without wasting time and budget on reconfiguring the airframe itself – the Havoc not only meets the demanding mission challenges faced by today’s uncrewed aerial systems but anticipates potential issues facing the battlefields of the future. The system remains payload agnostic and is prepped for third party integrations through a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) frequently utilized by customers to integrate new payloads and subsystems without the need for Edge Autonomy support.

By addressing the challenges typically faced by small UAS, the Havoc provides an effective solution to mission challenges that call for long range capabilities while still maintain the portability, ease of operations, and small footprint that the VXE30 Stalker has been providing for years.   

“We are committed to meeting the changing needs of the warfighters we support, and addressing evolving requirements for longer range, greater payload capacity, and overall system flexibility are a part of our strategy for innovations,” said John Purvis, CEO of Edge Autonomy. “By providing a system that is easily reconfigurable, giving operators equipment to meet the growing mission demands they are facing now and in the future.”