Sig Sauer to begin flight tests of armed UAS quadcopter

Aerotor APUS 60 – the base platform of the Fire Storm 250 – was designed in a collaboration between IAI and Aerotor Unmanned Systems after the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding announced in 2024. (Janes/Sean Reardon)

Sig Sauer and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will begin flight tests for a weaponised quadcopter unmanned aircraft system (UAS) in the third quarter (Q3) of 2026, according to an internal Sig Sauer document recently obtained by Janes .

The Fire Storm 250 – unveiled at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) conference in October 2025 – is a long-endurance, armed quadcopter with a stabilised weapon station and precision targeting system being developed for US and international customers. Live demonstrations of the system are expected in Q3 of fiscal year 2026, according to the document.

The quadcopter integrates Sig Sauer's new Micro-Remote Controlled Weapon System (RCWS) mounted with the Sig Sauer M250 multicalibre light machine gun (LMG). Sig Sauer's airborne LMG can be loaded with 200 rounds of conventional or hybrid 7.62×51 and 6.8×51 mm ammunition. IAI is providing the Aerotor APUS 60 for the base platform.

The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has passed initial engineering milestones with the powertrain, and weapons have been successfully integrated and tested.

The Fire Storm 250 can stay airborne for up to three hours using its internal combustion engine and patented transmission design, according to the document. The Aerotor quadcopter in the APUS family is understood to be capable of operating on Jet-A1, JP5, and JP8 fuels being refuelled at unit level between missions, according IAI's website.

The three-hour flight time will enable the UAV to fulfil multiple mission roles including direct precision fire support, border defence, airborne suppressive fire, maritime interdiction, and force overwatch.