Rotary unmanned aerial systems (RUAS) company Steadicopter has unveiled the Golden Eagle HS (Heavy Strike) Rotary Unmanned Aerial System for heavy strike capabilities in collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
The collaboration expands the Golden Eagle family capabilities, adding a new attack capability dimension, expanding the system’s operational versatility and reinforcing its proven performance.
“The introduction of the Golden Eagle HS, in collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, represents a modern, tactical solution that meets today’s critical operational demands with unmatched precision and standoff strike capability, without causing collateral damage, while keeping the troops out of harm’s way,” said Steadicopter CEO Itai Toren. “This partnership blends Steadicopter’s cutting-edge RUAV technologies with Rafael’s decades of defence expertise, resulting in a solution that is greater than the sum of its parts.”
The Golden Eagle HS system integrates Rafael’s Spike missiles for heavy strike missions in tactical operations and close air support missions including border protection, perimeter security, urban warfare, and in open area battlefields.
The RUAS system provides rapid and pinpoint accuracy strike capabilities at standoff range against evolving high-value threats even in dynamic and congested environments. By leveraging maneuverability and mission efficiency, ground forces can operate from safe, standoff positions day and night, against both stationary and moving targets.
When mounted on a tactical RUAV, the Spike missile allows for more versatile, longer-range ground attack angles, maximising firepower output while reducing the risk to infantry, marine corps, special forces, and other tactical ground units.
“We are pleased to collaborate with Steadicopter in advancing the future of combat, where modern warfare demands innovative and advanced solutions,” a Rafael spokesperson said. “This collaboration provides a cutting-edge, standoff warfighting RUAV that may very much reshape modern battlefield and will enable existing and new Spike missile users to utilize them in a new tactical, versatile, and lethal way.”
The Golden Eagle HS platforms can be operated in tandem formations, with each RUAV carryingits own missile, ensuring mission continuity even if some units are compromised. This approach enhances operational effectiveness by distributing targets and maintaining strike capability against multiple objectives.
The system’s advanced sensor suite, featuring a high-definition day/night EO/IR payload and target tracker, optionally integrated with SightX’s AI advanced technology, ensures seamless target acquisition, tracking, and classification, even in adverse weather conditions and complex terrain.
Thus, the system enables an individualised ID per object, ensuring continuous tracking with temporary obstructions or loss of sight within the field of view and autonomously distinguishing between various targets, whether moving or stationary, human or vehicle-based. This real-time situational awareness empowers ground forces with actionable intelligence, enabling informed decision-making and rapid response capabilities.
