360-degree UAV antenna gives Puma unmanned aircraft maritime situational awareness capability

MONROVIA, Calif. – AeroVironment Inc. in Monrovia, Calif., is introducing the 360 Multi-Sector Antenna (MSA) for the company's Puma AE small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during maritime missions.

The 360 MSA provides naval operators with tactical situational awareness, while eliminating the need to redirect the vessel or reconfigure the direction of an antenna to maintain an effective communication link.

Featuring an integrated array of 24 high-gain auto-selective antennas, the 360 MSA analyzes downlink data quality and automatically switches between antenna patches to deliver 360-degree continuous command and control coverage within a 20-kilometer nominal range.

Navy commanders can maintain complete control of the Puma AE aircraft and payload with the 360 MSA and access real time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) information.

Related: AeroVironment to build small UAVs with surveillance and reconnaissance unmanned sensor payloads

Additionally, it provides the bridge and combat teams with mission planning, real time moving map, high resolution imagery, and contact status capability.

The 360 MSA UAV antenna is available in M3/4/6 DDL operating bands. International customers can contact AeroVironment for capability demonstrations in early Summer 2019, and will begin taking orders Fall 2019.

For more information contact AeroVironment online at www.avinc.com.

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