Tel Aviv: Armed VTOL unmanned systems are getting more attention in many armed forces. After Israel cancelled a 20 years gag order on the fact that it is using armed UAVs, Israeli companies are working to offer VTOL UAVs armed with weapon systems.

The first company to do so is Steadicopter that used one of its advanced unmanned VTOL systems as a platform for a weapon system. According to the company its Golden Eagle is the first unmanned helicopter with precise strike capabilities from the air, enabling both military and security forces to meet the challenges of modern battlefield and in complex environments.

Based on the combat-proven Black Eagle 50E platform, Golden Eagle is powered by two advanced technologies, enabling tactical forces complete terrain dominance – Smart Shooter’s SMASH Dragon robotic weaponry payload to ensure precise target elimination, and an AI-based technology for superior situational awareness and autonomous multi-target classification and tracking. The complete suite can incorporate various types of assault rifles, sniper rifles, 40mm, and other ammunition with great precision.

Lightweight, extremely cost-effective, simple to operate and easy to maintain, the Golden Eagle has long-endurance, vertical take-off and landing capability, providing the force to complete the mission with minimum contact with hostile forces.

According to Itai Toren, CEO of Steadicopter there is a great interest in the Golden Eagle system in several countries. While refusing to be specific, Toren added that the system can be fitted with different weapon systems such as 5.56 and 7.62 caliber weapons, sniper guns and 40 mm grenade launchers.