Robonic Ltd Oy of Finland (a subsidiary of Sagem – Safran) has delivered its fourth generation OHTO pneumatic launcher to Lockheed Martin, broadening Robonic’s portfolio of highly efficient pneumatic zero-point launchers for tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) as well as aerial targets.
This launcher is smaller, more efficient and more transportable than previous Robonic launchers.
The OHTO launcher is the outcome of a design concept long matured by Robonic, of which the development was bolstered by the 2015 contract with Lockheed Martin. The contract agreement also includes licensed production and sales of the OHTO launcher in the U.S.
Advances in technology improve launch and relaunch management of the Robonic OHTO. An operator can, from a safe distance, enable the launcher to be ready for launch minutes after the initial one. The OHTO is a fourth generation zero-point pneumatic launcher whose design, aeronautical class mechanical structure, maintainability, tactical mobility and transportability, where it can be towed by an SUV or sling loaded with an NH-90 helicopter are only a few outstanding features for this launcher. Additionally, the software based monitoring of OHTO operations both allows for the users to obtain more information on the launch statistics and takes the operator safety to new level.
The OHTO design benefits from Robonic’s extensive operational experience on its range of launchers (in particular Kontio) used worldwide by customers in foreign theaters, on military test ranges or for advanced UAV systems. Robonic has integrated over 20 air vehicles to be launched off the Kontio launcher.
“As a major highlight to introducing our new OHTO worldwide, we are very pleased to be working alongside Lockheed Martin in bringing OHTO into the U.S. market as a fully integrated part of the Fury system, and look forward to delivering continued support to Lockheed Martin for its UAV activities,” says Juha Moisio, Robonic CEO.
The Lockheed Martin Fury already uses a Robonic Kontio third‐generation launcher to support flight testing and initial operations in its development program.