Defence

Israeli firm Steadicopter has unveiled its Black Eagle 50 mini rotary unmanned air vehicle. The design is 2.3m (7.5ft) long and has a rotor diameter of 2m, with a maximum take-off weight of 35kg (77lb), including a 3kg payload.

Steadicopter research and development manager Rami Hadar says the fully autonomous Black Eagle 50 has an endurance of 3h and can reach an altitude of 9,000ft. Current datalink range is 10km (5.4nm), but the manufacturer says this can be increased to 150km.

Powered by a 116cc water-cooled engine, the Black Eagle 50 can achieve a forward speed of 70kt (130km/h) and withstand sidewinds of 35kt, the company says.

"We are in the final stage of development," says Hadar, with the design already having been flown. The company is also already working on a larger Black Eagle 60 airframe that will be capable of carrying a 10kg payload and flying for 4h, he reveals.

Steadicopter began its operations in 2004 by equipping a model helicopter with its autonomous flight control system.

© Steadicopter