BAE Systems Silver Fox

The Sensintel Silver Fox UAV is an Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that can conduct autonomous aerial surveillance imaging. The Silver Fox UAV is designed to provide low cost aerial surveillance imaging and carry sensor payload packages weighing up to four pounds. Video images are transmitted from Silver Fox to a ground station for quick reference. One ground station can simultaneously operate ten units.

Silver Fox
Role	Unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin	United States
Manufacturer	Sensintel Inc.

U.S. Marines with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) display the Silver Fox UAV to Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4).

St. Inigoes, Md – A Silver Fox UAV and its operator's station on display at the 2005 Naval UAV Air Demo held at the Webster Field Annex of Naval Air Station Patuxent River.

Design and development

The Silver Fox was originally developed by Advanced Ceramics Research (ACR), which was purchased by BAE in 2009.^[1] Sensintel Inc. purchased BAE Systems Unmanned Aircraft Programs in June 2013. Raytheon purchased Sensintel in January 2015.^[2]

The Silver Fox is a gas-powered unmanned system, weighing about 30 pounds. It can carry electro-optical and infrared sensors, providing full-motion imagery for both day and night operations. The Silver Fox carries small payloads and performs autonomous takeoffs and landings. The Silver Fox UAV supports military operations during intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.^[3]

In July 2013, the Colombian Air Force bought three Silver Fox UAVs, along with rail launchers, ground control stations, and video systems for each.^[4]

Operational history

Silver Fox drones were deployed to the southern Philippines by the US military, participating in operations in the Moro conflict. At least one Silver Fox was captured by MILF rebels.^[5]

Specifications (Silver Fox)

Data from BAE

General characteristics

• Capacity: 0
• Empty weight: 25 lb (11 kg)
• Fuel capacity: 2.6l

Performance

• Maximum speed: 50 kn (58 mph, 93 km/h)
• Cruise speed: 45 kn (52 mph, 83 km/h)
• Stall speed: 28 kn (32 mph, 52 km/h)8 hours endurance

References

1. "BAE Acquires UAV Maker ACR for $14.7M". Retrieved 3 January 2011.
2. "Raytheon acquires Tucson-based Sensintel, Inc". Retrieved 27 March 2015.
3. "Silver Fox". Archived from the original on 12 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
4. Colombia; FAC orders Silver Fox UAV Archived 4 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Dmilt.com, 2 July 2013
5. Axe, David (29 June 2013). "FYI, We Just Won a War in The Philippines". warisboring.com. War Is Boring. Retrieved 23 November 2017. ... U.S. Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit arrived in The Philippines for a training exercise. They brought along an experimental Silver Fox drone ... another UAV went down in Talayan, outside Maguindanao — MILF territory. Rebels claimed they shot it down. A photo posted online was unambiguous: the 'bot in question was another Silver Fox.

External links

• Silver Fox UAV website Archived 27 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine