Nano "Bug" UAV tested by BAE Systems and the British Army
NewsDecember 29, 2020
UNITED KINGDOM. In collaboration with UAVTEK, BAE Systems announced it has developed a nano “Bug” unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and delivered the first 30 units to the British Army, which has already subjected the platform to various tests and trials.
The Bug is a nano-UAV weighs about as much as a smartphone. It is designed to have a stealthy, low-visual profile and the ability to fly even in strong winds of more than 50 mph. According to the company, it was able to cope with contested weather during a recent Army Warfighting Experiment (AWE) event hosted by the Ministry of Defense’s Future Capability Group.
BAE Systems claims that the Bug can deliver tactical intelligence beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and works autonomously to give troops a visual update. The company also claims that the video feed can be shared multi-domain aiming to enable commanders on land, sea, and air to increase their situational awareness.
The teams are now working on the next developments on the nano-UAV, exploring sensing equipment and capabilities which could be added, as well as how the Bug could be integrated with other military equipment, according to officials.
