Stalker VXE unmanned aerial system completes world record 39-hour flight

News, US April 18, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. next-generation Stalker VXE unmanned aerial system (UAS) achieved a world record endurance flight at the Santa Margarita Ranch in California, American defense firm Lockheed Martin announced.

The specially configured Lockheed Martin Stalker VXE demonstrated the expanded endurance capabilities and completed the flight establishing a new record in the Group 2 (5 to <25-kilogram) category with a flight time of 39 hours, 17 minutes, and 7 seconds.

According to the Lockheed Martin statement, “A production Stalker VXE was modified for this record-setting flight with an external, wing-mounted fuel tank. The flight provided valuable insight for improvements to Stalker VXE aimed at scaling its mission capabilities for the future.”

“The flight has been submitted to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the world sanctioning body for aviation records, through its U.S. affiliate, the National Aeronautic Association, for certification,” the release added.

The company emphasized that the Stalker VXE’s class-leading endurance, broad operating envelope, modular payload compliance, vertical take-off, and landing capability, and open system architecture allow it to execute diverse and demanding missions while maintaining a small operational footprint and crew.

*^{Lockheed Martin’s Stalker VXE UAV. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin)}*

Stalker VXE30 is a next-generation vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS and is capable of carrying multiple payloads and conducting quiet, autonomous mission operations. The UAS is cursor-on-target compliant, has waypoint navigation, multi-UAS operation from a single GCS open system architecture, as well as an integrated tracker – scene lock moving target track, auto track & follow navigation.

Key Specifications:

Wing Span: 16.0 ft.
Length: 8.5 ft.
Air Vehicle Weight without Payload: 42.5 lb. (battery) / 38.5 lb (fuel cell w/fuel tank)
Air Vehicle Maximum Takeoff Weight: 48 lb.(battery)/44 lb.(fuel cell)
Payload Weight: Up to 5.5 lb.
Typical Endurance: up to 4 hrs (battery)/up to 8 hrs (fuel cell)
Optimum Cruise Speed: 36 mph
Maximum Speed/‘Dash’ Speed: 58 mph
Comms Range: Up to 100 miles
Aircraft Ferry Range (no wind): 138 mi (battery)/269 mi (fuel cell)
Launch and Recovery: Vertical takeoff and landing
Propulsion: Propane fuel cell with rechargeable hybrid battery/dual rechargeable batteries
Operating Altitude: 300 ft. AGL up to 12,000 ft. Density Altitude