Datron Scout – UAV reconnnaisance with the stability of four rotors

Younger owners of the Parrot AR.Drone will no doubt have discovered the advantages of such a device when gathering intelligence on siblings and parents.

The Datron Scout Air Reconnaissance System shares a few similarities with the AR.Drone but, like the CyberQuad, is a quadricopter designed for slightly more critical missions. With a weatherproof design that allows it to capture and transmit high quality video in dusty and hot or cold conditions and winds of up to 50 km/h (31 mph), Datron says the scout is suited for a variety of military, law enforcement, fire and civilian applications.

First introduced at the Farnborough Air Show last year and currently on show at the Paris Air Show, the Scout is a lightweight Micro Air Vehicle featuring four small electric motors powered by a lithium polymer battery driving the unit’s four rotors. The Scout’s 20 minute flight time isn’t as long as fixed wing UAVs, such as Aerovironment’s Puma, but this is offset by the Scout’s vertical take-off and landing capabilities (VTOL) and its ability to hover over subjects. The Scout also has an operational weight of 1.3 kg (2.86 lb) and is man-packable with a snap together, tool-less assembly to allow for easy transport and rapid deployment in the field.