BAE Systems unveils its armed UAV Fury
14 Jun 2008
BAE Systems has unveiled its Fury armed reconnaissance and close air support unmanned air vehicle at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International North America 2008 convention in San Diego, California.
Fury has a airframe that is similar to BAE's Herti reconnaissance and surveillance UAV and also shares some components. The UAV has a pusher propeller, a wingspan of 12.5m (41ft), is 5.1m in length and will be equipped with the developmental Thales lightweight multi-role missile.
"Fury has the ability to perform a number of military roles," says BAE's project director Chris Clarkson. "With a high degree of autonomy, it combines many of the already proven elements of our other unmanned platforms, including a small logistic footprint."
Future trials will demonstrate a guided missile launch from an airborne Fury to strike a target, demonstrating both the weapon's safe separation from the aircraft and its control. Target acquisition, designation, tracking and guidance will be provided by the Fury's avionics and mission system, while target confirmation and launch authority will be the weapon operator's responsibility.
