Wasp AE
Micro fixed-wing
The AeroVironment Wasp AE is a man-portable, micro fixed-wing unmanned aircraft system designed for close-in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) for small units in urban and littoral environments.
Mission Profile
The Wasp AE is employed by small tactical units to provide immediate, on-demand situational awareness and reconnaissance capabilities. Its primary role is to extend the visual reach of dismounted warfighters, enabling them to observe over obstacles, around corners, and beyond the immediate line of sight without exposing personnel to undue risk. This capability is crucial for enhancing force protection, target acquisition, and battle damage assessment in complex operational environments such as urban areas, dense terrain, and coastal zones.
Key Features
- ▸Hand-launchable and deep-stall landing for rapid deployment and recovery.
- ▸Lightweight and man-portable, easily carried by a single soldier.
- ▸Quiet electric propulsion for discreet operation.
- ▸Interchangeable payloads, including high-resolution electro-optical and infrared cameras.
- ▸Digital Data Link (DDL) for secure and robust communication.
- ▸Common Ground Control System (GCS) compatibility with other AeroVironment UAS.
- ▸GPS-enabled for autonomous navigation and waypoint following.
Specifications
- ceiling
- Not publicly disclosed (operational altitude typically low)
- configuration
- Fixed-wing, single propeller
- endurance
- 50 minutes
- mtow
- 1.3 kg (2.8 lbs)
- payload
- High-resolution EO/IR gimbaled camera
- propulsion
- Electric motor
- range
- 5 km (line-of-sight)
- speed
- 40-72 km/h (25-45 mph)
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.