AeroVironment, Inc. has introduced the Qube , and in doing so, created a new category, the  Public Safety Small UAS, for applications such as law enforcement and first response. Small enough to fit easily in the trunk of a car, the Qube system can be unpacked, assembled and ready for flight in less than five minutes, giving the operator a rapidly deployable eye in the sky at a fraction of the cost of manned aircraft.

 “Public safety professionals have been asking for this capability for years,” said Tom Herring, AeroVironment senior vice president and general manager of Unmanned Aircraft Systems. “They have learned about the effectiveness of our Raven, Wasp and Puma UAS over the battlefield and want a similar capability that is tailored to their mission requirements. The Qube system targets their needs and will provide a portable aerial vantage point to help public safety workers perform their duties more safely and effectively.”

The Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) air vehicle can hover for 40 minutes – twice the endurance of similar unmanned aircraft. Equipped with dual color and thermal video cameras, the aircraft can transmit live video directly to the operator to assist with threat assessment, situational awareness, search and rescue, perimeter security and a variety of other missions.

To demonstrate the Qube system’s unique capabilities, AeroVironment is introducing a trial and evaluation programme for public safety agencies.