Grenade Launched Unmanned Aerial Systems (GLUAS)

2020: Announcement

In April, 2020 the military research laboratory at U.S. Army of CCDC Army Research Laboratory announced development of microdrones which start is performed from a 40-mm grenade launcher of M203. Such grenade launcher fastens on firearms — carbines, rifles, machine guns, submachine guns — and is located under the main trunk of weapon. The project received the name Grenade Launched Unmanned Aerial Systems (GLUAS) — "The pilotless air systems with start from a grenade launcher".

Drones are equipped with the video camera. And their main destination — investigation in hilly areas or locations with dense and high vegetation, such as East and Server Afghanistan. Having launched GLUAS into the sky, the infantry can receive almost instantly the overview of a field of battle from height of bird's flight, one of authors of the project, the design engineer John Gerdes told.

The military research laboratory at U.S. Army of CCDC Army Research Laboratory announced development of microdrones which start is performed from a 40-mm grenade launcher of M203

Drones will be useful when you need to look at the opponent's forces, but you without concept where he is — he added.

The U.S. Army told about two modifications of GLUAS. One of them reminds by the principle of work a paraplane, another — the helicopter. After a shot from a grenade launcher the device spreads wings and using the electric motor gains height. Control is exercised using the pocket panel to which the video image also comes from the drone.

Both versions of UAVs are capable to rise by height up to 610 meters and to be airborne not less than 90 minutes. The limit distance of wireless transmission of video signal makes 2 kilometers. Equipment of devices the GPS module will allow military, in addition to the picture, to receive satellite coordinates of the opponent.

As drones are approximately identical by the size, weight and approach in a form M203 under-barrel grenade launcher, they will easily fit into standard fighting equipment of soldiers of ground forces.^[1]

Robotics

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