Vanilla: New ultra-long endurance swarm-deploying UAV with 10-day flight time

A new unmanned aerial vehicle system is being tested by the US military, with the capability of remaining in the air for up to 10 days.

Known as Vanilla, the ultra-long endurance flight aircraft is being trialled in the Indo-Pacific region during Valiant Shield 24 at Andersen Air Force Base in Guam.

The new machine is being tested for its potential to supply airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to the US armed forces.

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According to Platform Aerospace, the company behind the UAV, Vanilla Unmanned can carry a payload of 150lbs and travel 15,000 nautical miles.

It has the strength and power to carry the full 150lb payload for four days and a 50lb payload for seven days.

Furthermore, the UAV can launch 40 micro drones as a swarm.

It is also fully automated and does not require a runway for takeoff.

Valiant Shield 24 is a multi-nation exercise in the Indo-Pacific which aims to fine-tune multi-domain warfare, linking air, sea, cyber and space.

Platform Aerospace hopes to create a cost-effective UAV system which can be produced faster and in greater numbers.

As drone technology advances, more systems like Vanilla will likely be tested in the future.