Mini UAS Supplies Advanced Surveillance Capabilities to Special Forces

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FLYEYE is a mini Unmanned Air System (UAS), that is used for intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (ISTAR) of the battlefield, sensitive areas, national borders, natural disasters, or large public events.

Recently, the Polish Armament Inspectorate in the Ministry of National Defence has signed a contract for the supply of four sets of the mini UAV FLYEYE with a training package for $3 million.

The agreement stipulates the option for the further delivery of 10 sets. One set comprises four unmanned aerial vehicles. The systems are expected to be delivered this year.

The UAV is designed and built by the Polish concern WB Electronics to provide advanced aerial reconnaissance capabilities to military and special operations forces.

The UAV can be deployed to determine target coordinates for artillery operations. Identification, escorting, target acquisition and monitoring of natural disasters and forest fires are also other uses, as is surveillance of battlefield and national borders, as reported by army-technology.com.

FLYEYE is a modular system characterized by the ease of assembly and disassembly. Launch readiness can be achieved in less than 10 minutes. Hand-launch with no additional equipment which allows it to be operated in tight spaces and confined areas. The UAV allows for integration with light precision armament and an acoustic vector sensor to detect source of fire.

The UAV is fitted with surveillance payload under the fuselage. This payload includes two cameras to capture video imagery in real time and provides improved observation range for the UAV.

The drone is attached with a computer hard drive to record telemetric data. This includes data transmission speed, time, flight altitude and coordinates of current image, amongst other information during the flight.

According to uasvision.com, the system has been battle-proven in Afghanistan, and it is being used by the Ukrainian Army. The Third generation of FLYEYE is equipped with a new observation head and batteries. The ground control station, as well as backpacks and cases, have also been modernized.