Elbit Systems has completed a series of environmental qualification tests of THOR, a multi-rotor Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) mini Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS).
The company completed the testing ahead of a key delivery of more than 1,000 THOR VTOL mini-UAS to an army in Southeast Asia.
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During the environmental qualification tests, the company assessed the effectiveness of the UAS under extreme environmental conditions and its capability to withstand physical stress requirements.
The company said in a statement: “The tests demonstrated the capability of THOR to maintain operability in temperatures varying from minus 40ºC up to 65ºC, withstand hard gusting rain and rough vibrations, and resist penetration and damage from blowing sand and dust.”
Powered by electricity, the unmanned system is designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
THOR is designed to carry up to 3kg of payloads and can fly for up to 75 minutes. It has a range of 10km with a flight ceiling of up to 2,000ft.
Headquartered in Israel, Elbit Systems is a technology company catering to defence, homeland security and commercial programmes across the world.
Earlier this year, the company was selected to deliver its Satellite-on-the-Move (SOTM) communications system to the Canadian Armed Forces Land Command Support System Life Extension (LCSS LE) programme.
The system will allow the Canadian Armed Forces to ‘maintain’ voice and data communications at long ranges.
