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Insitu unveiled at AUVSI its latest unmanned aerial system
designated 'Integrator'. The new vehicle extends the company's
Insight family of vehicles (which includes the ScanEagle) with
the ability to carry out longer missions with larger payloads.
Following a modular design, the Integrator decouples the payload
from the airframe to ease payload integration. Additional internal
payload options for Integrator include a wide range of intelligence,
communications and expandable capabilities and options. The
Integrator has an empty weight of 55 lbs (25 kg), loaded with
full payload of 25 lbs (11.3kg) fuel and payload the maximum
takeoff weight of 130 lbs (59 kg). It is powered by reciprocating
piston engine developing eight horsepowers, and runs on heavy
fuel or auto gas. The vehicle is designed for a cruising speed
of 55 knots and maximum speed is 90 kt. Service ceiling is 20,000
ft.

The new vehicle will utilize a larger 10x10 inch (25x25 cm)
box shaped fuselage, couples with 16 ft (4.8 meter) span swept
wing. Unlike the clean blended wing design of the ScanEagle,
Integrator has more control surfaces, with booms carrying
a vertical tail and horizontal stabilizer coupled to each
wing. Unlike most UAV designs, Integrator is not using the
classical H design used by most UAVs, as the two tails are
not connected by a common horizontal stabilizer.
The
wing roots are strengthened to carry external payload options,
including all existing Scaneagle payloads, EO and IR turrets
and communications. In its baseline configuration the Integrator
carries an electro-optical stabilized payload including visual
and long-wave InfraRed (LWIR) sensor and Mid-Range InfraRed
(MWIR) cameras with optional infrared marker and laser rangefinder.
The platform can sustain communications link over 55 nautical
miles with extended beyond-line-of-sight mission radius of
up to 550 nm. Launch and recovery are performed autonomously
using pneumatic catapult launcher and patented 'wingtip snag',
enabling safe and reliable recovery without the need for infrastructure,
over rough or mountainous land, as well as at sea. Integrator
will be interoperable with Insight platforms and ScanEagle,
using common ground system components. The avionic suite is
based on Athena Guidestar system, utilizing differential GPS
navigation.
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