Puma 3 AE
Hand-launched fixed-wing
The AeroVironment Puma 3 AE is a hand-launched, all-environment, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Mission Profile
The Puma 3 AE is primarily employed by ground and maritime forces for tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) operations. Its design emphasizes rapid deployment and versatility, making it suitable for over-the-hill reconnaissance, force protection, and target acquisition in diverse operational environments. It provides real-time video and imagery to enhance situational awareness for small units.
For maritime operations, the Puma 3 AE is capable of water landings and take-offs, supporting over-the-horizon reconnaissance for naval and coastal forces. Its all-environment capability ensures reliable performance across various weather conditions and terrain types, from land-based deployments to shipboard operations. The system's portability and ease of use allow for quick integration into existing operational doctrines, providing critical ISR capabilities at the tactical edge.
Key Features
- ▸All-environment operation, capable of land and water launch/recovery.
- ▸Hand-launched and deep-stall recovery for rapid deployment.
- ▸Modular payload bay supporting various sensor configurations, including Mantis i45 gimbal.
- ▸Extended endurance for prolonged mission times.
- ▸Encrypted digital data link for secure communications.
- ▸Integrated GPS for precise navigation and waypoint following.
- ▸Ruggedized construction for harsh operational conditions.
- ▸Portable and rapidly deployable by a small team.
Specifications
- ceiling
- Up to 10,000 ft MSL
- configuration
- Fixed-wing, hand-launched
- endurance
- Up to 5.5 hours with extended battery
- mtow
- Approximately 15 lbs (6.8 kg)
- payload
- Approximately 3.5 lbs (1.5 kg)
- propulsion
- Electric motor
- range
- Up to 60 km with long-range tracking antenna
- speed
- 20-45 knots (37-83 km/h)
Notable Operators
Comparable Platforms
About the Manufacturer
AeroVironment (AV) is a publicly traded defense technology company that pioneered the modern hand-launched military drone. Its product line spans small ISR UAS used by infantry units worldwide, tactical Group 3 platforms, and the Switchblade family of loitering munitions that have become signature systems of contemporary land warfare.