IAI Malat is unveiling the Ghost, a new vertical take-off and landing miniature unmanned aircraft currently undergoing test flights, and which is expected to be ready for marketing soon.
The Ghost is 145 cm long (4.76 ft) and designed specifically to support special operations units and company level infantry operations. Ghost was optimized for operation in built-up areas, rugged terrain and dense brushes, typically of the terrain in South Lebanon. As an electrically powered, twin-rotor mini-UAV, Ghost is capable of operating on missions of about 30 minutes.
Its aerodynamic configuration and twin-rotor propulsion system contributes to high stability in hovering mode, and effective station keeping even in strong side-winds and gusts. The twin rotors create adequate lift within a relatively small diameter (0.75 cm / 2.46 ft), enabling the Ghost to navigate safely near obstacles, enter through windows and hover inside built-up areas or penetrate dense vegetation. The twin rotors are powered by two separate, synchronized electrical motors, offering some redundancy in case one motor is disabled. In fact, the Ghost designers expect the final version to be able to recover back to safe ground using a single motor. The Ghost can travel at speed from 35 knots (64 km/h) to zero.
The Ghost operates quietly in day or night. Its hovering capability provides the user flexible view of the area of interest, including a unique horizontal visibility, unavailable with other flying sensors. The Ghost weighs only four kilograms (9 lb.) and comes packed in a suitcase carried by a single soldier. A system is comprises two vehicles, spare batteries and control station employing a laptop computer. The current payload includes the stabilized daylight MicroCam D from Nextvision, An IR night capable sensor is also available at a compatible weight; other payloads are also considered by IAI for future missions.
To support indoor operations the EO system is equipped with mapping capability, automatically measuring indoor space perimeters, to enable the Ghost safe entry and maneuvering inside a room.
Source: Defense Update