This peculiar flying object could be the future of military drones #shorts #shortsfeed #facts

This peculiar flying object could be the future of military drones #shorts #shortsfeed #facts
This peculiar flying object could be the future of military drones #shorts #shortsfeed #facts
This peculiar flying object could be the future of military drones, but what sets it apart from existing ones? The VBAT 128 is an unmanned aircraft system featuring an innovative ducted fan design. This allows VBAT to take off and land in any 12 by 12-foot clearing, while its predecessor, the RQ-7 Shadow, needs a runway length of at least 311 feet.
VBAT can not only hover and provide surveillance with multi-spectral sensors and radar platforms, but it can also fly horizontally for 11 hours, reaching speeds of up to 55 miles per hour. With a quick assembly and launch time of under 30 minutes, VBAT is ideal for small fleets patrolling areas like the South China Sea, where islands are too small for traditional runways.
Developed at a cost of $50 million, VBAT is already in limited service with the US Navy. However, its long-term future with the US military remains uncertain. This innovative drone may revolutionize surveillance and reconnaissance operations while addressing the challenges of limited space for takeoff and landing.