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Product profile

ThunderB-VTOL

ThunderB-VTOL is BlueBird Aero Systems tactical VTOL unmanned aircraft for ISTAR missions. It combines fixed-wing endurance with vertical takeoff and landi...

Facts

Company
BlueBird Aero Systems
Product type
uav
Status
active
Website
https://bluebird-uav.com/thunderb-vtol/

About ThunderB-VTOL

ThunderB-VTOL combines vertical lift motors with a fixed-wing cruise configuration for launch and recovery from confined land or shipboard areas. The 40-kilogram aircraft carries four to eight kilograms of payload and provides endurance up to 12 hours with communications range up to 150 kilometres.

Payloads include stabilised day and cooled thermal cameras, radar, signals-intelligence and mapping systems. Redundant data links, protection against navigation interference and autonomous flight functions support operations in degraded communications and GNSS environments. A two-person team can deploy the system without prepared launch infrastructure for ISTAR, maritime patrol, mapping and border-security missions. BlueBird Aero Systems is 50% owned by Israel Aerospace Industries.

Summary

Type: VTOL UAV

Core: Tactical ISR

Function: Gather intelligence

Audience: Armed forces

Specifications

communication_range_km
up to 150 km
endurance_hours
12+ hours
launch_recovery
vertical takeoff and landing from confined or unprepared areas
max_speed_kmh
120 km/h
mtow_kg
45 kg
payload_capacity_kg
4–8 kg
payload_configuration
Modular payload bay with quick-release connectors
payload_eo
photogrammetric, multispectral and radiometric mapping cameras
target_use_cases
ISR, mapping, border protection, maritime operations, disaster management and tactical security
team_size
two-person operation

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