XTEND, the Israel company specialised in indoor reconnaissance UAVs, showcased its XTENDER system at the LandEuro exhibition
A quadcopter vertical take-off and landing airframe, with four rotors powered by electric motors, the XTENDER has a takeoff mass of 1.2 kg, including the battery, its integrated payload being made of an optronic suite which cameras are embedded in the carbon fibre frame that surrounds the air vehicle, protecting rotors against possible bumps into walls, a potential threat when flying in confined spaces as inside buildings, one of the main missions for this drone. A 150 grams additional optronic system, can be added on top of the airframe, a bracket is available to do so, increasing its Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR) capacity.
A small footprint system, it measures 300 x 300 x 99 mm, it can reach a maximum speed of 12km/h. Designed for short duration missions, in and out buildings, it has an autonomy of around 10 minutes. Fitted with a navigation system capable to fly it in GNSS-denied scenarios, it is equipped with a 1.6-2.4GHz AES-256 encrypted data link with a range of 1.5-2 km, depending on conditions.
Fitted with automatic take-off and landing algorithms, it features a human-machine interface based on a light joystick and a head visor, images being also visible on a ruggedised tablet. According to the company the gesture-based management of the UAV, coupled with augmented reality, makes it quite easy to operate even by unexperienced personnel. The XTNEDER can be made ready for operation in less than 40 seconds, and can be launched by hand, from the ground, or from aerial platforms.
The Starlight Low Light camera installed at the front of the airframe is complemented by two flood light on the sides, which allow the XTENDER to provide detailed images even in full darkness. The insertion of Artificial Intelligence elements gives the XTENDER the ability to classify targets, automatically track them and provide virtual reality/augmented reality images to the operator.
Special forces, military, and police units, use it to derisk operations in complex environments, for example inside buildings and in urban contexts, where the XTENDER is able to carry out reconnaissance and information gathering missions, without exposing the operator. It can typically detect improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and booby traps, and identify and track targets or individuals, securing areas during indoor close-quarter combat and support intervention teams.
The XTENDER can operates in swarm mode enabling several units to work together even in GPS-denied environments or in indoor/outdoor transition. It is in service with numerous Special Forces units in the United States, Israel and other countries.
Photos courtesy XTEND and J. Roukoz