German: Bundeswehr: Mehr Aufklärung im Ortsbereich English: Bundeswehr: More reconnaissance in the local area

Recently, a contract was signed between the Federal Office for Equipment, Information Technology and Use of the Bundeswehr (BAAINBw) and the company AirRobot GmbH & Co KG for the procurement of 145 micro reconnaissance drones for local area imaging reconnaissance during day and night. The Bundeswehr is expanding its portfolio with a globally deployable system that meets the current state of the art.

The unmanned aerial vehicle system (UAS) MIKADO ensures the capability for independent tactical reconnaissance and for updating the current situation picture at the local level for highly mobile forces.

The micro reconnaissance drone is transported and operated by a single operator under infantry deployment conditions. An operational system consists of an air segment, a ground control station, a carrying backpack, and a spare parts package. With a weight of less than 15 kilograms, the system is ready for use within a minute, has a flight time of at least 25 minutes, and can be operated in a temperature range of -19°C to 49°C.

The three-axis stabilized combo payload enables reconnaissance of persons and vehicles during day and night and can highlight the "Point of Interest," the focal point of observation, through sensor fusion.

The procurement was carried out within the planned timeframe. It was preceded by a Europe-wide participation competition organized by the relevant contract and project departments of BAAINBw. The evaluation of the offers included, among other things, a flight demonstration conducted by the Wehrtechnische Dienststelle (WTD) 61 in Manching.

The reconnaissance drones now ordered are expected to be fully delivered by the end of 2024. The first systems are scheduled to be available to all branches of the Bundeswehr from the third quarter of 2023 onwards.

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