New Battery Extends Puma 3 AE Drone Flight Time to 3 Hours

AeroVironment's PS2500 battery has been officially approved for integration into the Puma 3 AE unmanned aircraft system (UAS), providing operators with the capability to achieve extended endurance for up to three hours of flight time.

Puma customers can now choose between the standard smart battery with two and a half hours of endurance or the PS2500 battery with three hours of endurance. The high-energy-density lithium-ion PS2500 battery pack features an improved capacity of 24.5Ah (amp-hours) while retaining the size and form factor needed for seamless integration into Puma 3 AE’s existing battery bay. It is also interoperable with Puma LE as a Line Replaceable Unit (LRU).

Puma 3 AE tactical unmanned aircraft

The Puma 3 AE tactical unmanned aircraft is equipped with an enhanced propulsion system, integrating a two-blade propeller mounted in a tractor configuration.

Designed for specific operational needs, the Puma 3 AE Unmanned Aircraft System offers a compact and portable solution weighing 6.8kg, with dimensions of 1.4m in length and a 2.8m wingspan. Its reinforced airframe, featuring aerodynamic rounded edges, minimizes wind drag for efficient flight.

The drone supports hand-launch in confined spaces and provides optional rail launcher deployment. Equipped with the Mantis i45 EO/IR sensor suite, it includes imaging sensors like a 50x Dual 15-megapixel electro-optical camera and an 860nm laser illuminator for illumination.

Operating in autonomous or manual modes, navigation is facilitated through AeroVironment’s common ground control system (GCS). With a standard antenna for command and control up to 20km, extendable to 60km using the long-range tracking antenna (LRTA), the Puma 3 AE focuses on delivering real-time imagery with AES-256 bit encryption for practical mission applications.

The aircraft is capable of flying at speeds up to 45k and can reach altitudes up to 152m above ground level.