Insitu UAV Accomplishes 24 Hours of Flight

Photo courtesy Insitu Inc.

 By Priya Potapragada





Insitu’s Integrator unmanned aircraft recently stretched its endurance by successfully completing 24 hours of flight. 



This demonstration displayed the Integrator’s increased endurance and takeoff weight with payload on board. The UAS has six payload spaces that can be customized with cameras, communication systems and other payloads.



"Today's flight is just the beginning,” says Peter Kunz, Insitu’s chief engineer. “We designed Integrator with growth in mind; high fuel capacity, large dedicated payload volumes and an aerodynamically and structurally efficient airframe have all been carefully implemented to allow the platform to change and adjust to our customers’ priorities.”



Integrator’s longest flight is the first of multiple planned improvements for the vehicle as the goals include increasing payload capacity and endurance for future missions.



“Our customers require a flexible, long-endurance system,” says Ryan Hartman, Senior Vice President for Insitu.“Taking this first step to increase the gross takeoff weight opens up more opportunities for us to integrate heavier payloads while maintaining long endurance for a multi-mission platform.”