Lockheed Martin has intensified testing on the Fury unmanned aerial system (UAS) ahead of low-rate production.

The UAS has recorded more than 200 hours of in-flight tests since May last year.

Lockheed Martin unmanned systems director Kevin Westfall said: "These flight tests have consistently proven that the Fury is a true 'anytime, anywhere' tactical Group 3 aircraft. It can be deployed to execute strategic and tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions with endurance and capability previously found only in Group 4 systems. 

The advanced tactical Group 3 UAS has demonstrated more than 12 hours of endurance with 100lb of payload, including electro-optical/infrared surveillance systems, voice communications relays, SATCOM links, and multiple signals intelligence payloads.

"It can be deployed to execute strategic and tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions with endurance and capability previously found only in Group 4 systems."

Lockheed Martin conducts the flights at the Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona, where the company inserts pre-planned product improvements to further the Fury's capability.

It is claimed to support multiple payload integrations, allowing execution of various missions with a single aircraft.

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The UAS can fly at an altitude of up to 15,000ft and its engine has been successfully tested to FAR33.49 Accelerated Life Testing standard, Lockheed stated.

Lockheed Martin's infrastructure at manufacturing facilities allows quick delivery of the UAS and to rapidly scale-up to full-rate production needs, according to Westfall.


Image: Lockheed Martin’s Fury UAS has reliably demonstrated more than 12-hour endurance. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation.