Atlas secures military customers for AtlasPRO MESH multi-UAV system

Atlas has secured military customers in Europe and Israel for its autonomous AtlasPRO MESH multi-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system, according to a company executive.

The AtlasPRO is a small UAV approximately 50 cm in diameter that weighs 1.7 kg including battery and payload. The aircraft enables fully- and semi-autonomous missions with 50 minute flight time and 10 km range.

Atlas’s MESH multi-node communication capability enables a single operator to command and control (C2) a UAV network from a unified ground control system (GCS) or smartphone. This technology enables the operator to divide missions among several UAVs and maintain constant “eyes in the sky” using autonomous hot-swap capabilities. Once the first aircraft runs out of battery, a second AtlasPRO aircraft replaces it above a point of interest, according to a company statement. Guy Cherni, company co-founder and chief marketing officer (CMO), told Jane’s on 13 August that he believes this hot-swap capability can make flight endurance irrelevant for a system operator.

The AtlasPRO unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used in the company's MESH capability is approximately 50 cm in diameter and weighs 1.7 kg including battery and payload. (Atlas)

Cherni said the AtlasPRO MESH system provides three core military capabilities. One is multi-node communication so UAVs can communicate among themselves and with the GCS at all times. Another is relay between aircraft to provide greater range.