Golden Eagle: World's first unmanned helicopter with AI strike capability

The world's first unmanned helicopter has been developed by an Israeli weapons manufacturer.

Lightweight and cost-effective, the Golden Eagle unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is the first of its kind and merges a combat-proven rotary unmanned aerial platform with an artificial intelligence (AI) targeting system.

Developed by Steadicopter, the vehicle uses a system known as SMASH Dragon, created by Smartshooter which locks the firing system onto static or moving targets, tracks them and ensures a precise target hit on the ground, in the air, day or night.

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According to its manufacturer, the UAV is "simple to operate, and easy to maintain" and "has long-endurance, vertical take-off, and landing capability, providing the force to complete the mission with minimum contact with hostile forces".

The UAV has been described as a remotely operated robotic weaponry payload system.

Steadicopter says the UAV is able to recognise and track targets with unmatched precision.

Technical Specifications

The Golden Eagle has a range of up to 150km and can operate for five hours without the need to recharge.

Its other technical specifications, according to manufacturer Steadicopter, are:

Total length: 3,100mm

Main rotor diameter: 2,800mm

Maximum takeoff weight: 50kg

Payload capacity: 7kg

Endurance: 1.20 Hr

Endurance (Hover): 1 Hr

Data link range: Up to 150km

Max air speed: 70 knots (126 km/h)

Cruising speed: 45 knots (85 km/h)

Operating temperature: -20° to +50°C

Wind (takeoff and landing): 25 knots (45 km/h)

Service ceiling: 18,000ft