ARCA Unveils High-Altitude Consumer UAS
ARCA has announced an affordable, high-performance unmanned aerial vehicle series called AirStrato.
The electric UAVs, which cost as much as an expensive car, are designed to fill a gap in capability from low-cost consumer unmanned aircraft and expensive models developed for military use that can cost upwards of $1 million, according to the company. This will allow small businesses, research institutions, and individuals access to higher altitudes and longer flight times previously reserved for government and big business operations.
The AirStrato models are the world’s largest UAS launched by ground-based catapult, and they can be controlled via satellite or the Global System for Mobile communication, according to a press release.
The high-end model is the AirStrato Explorer. The Explorer, which will start at $140,000, will have a 60,000-foot flight ceiling, 20 hours of endurance and a top speed of 106 mph.
The AirStrato Pioneer will start at $80,000 with the ability to climb to 26,000 feet, fly for 12 hours and top out at 50 mph.
Both aircraft run on internal batteries and solar cells for power. They also come equipped with internal flight stabilization, programmable autopilot, navigation and equipment status telemetry, a very-high-frequency radio, and automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) for compliance with the NextGen air transportation system.
Production is slated to begin March 2015 for the Pioneer and August 2015 for the Explorer. Both aircraft are now available for preorder at 15 percent and 20 percent discounts, respectively.
