BRVANT's Hunter V2 loitering munition. (Victor Barreira/Janes)
Brazilian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) manufacturer BRVANT – Soluções Tecnológicas has developed a family of loitering munition systems intended for use by dismounted infantry and special operations forces.
The family comprises two fixed-wing craft, Hunter V1 and Hunter V2, BRVANT told Janes on 25 January. Both come equipped with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven data processing.
While the Hunter V1 is designed for the anti-personnel role, equipped with a 1 kg thermobaric warhead, Hunter V2 can carry a 5 kg thermobaric or high-explosive anti-tank warhead suitable for striking armoured and unarmoured vehicles. Hunter V2 can carry additional sensors to perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles.
Hunter V1 is powered by an electric engine, while Hunter V2 can be powered by either electric or gasoline engines. While Hunter V1 can be launched by hand, elasticcatapult, or canister, Hunter V2 requires launch from a catapult, pylon, or canister.
Both models come standard with an electro-optical gimbal, autopilot unit, multiband encrypted telemetry system, inertial measurement unit (IMU), GPS receiver, and a forward-looking flight camera.
The loitering munitions received development funding from Brazil's state-owned Funding Agency for Studies and Projects (FINEP).
Hunter V1 has a length of 1.1 m, a wingspan of 90 cm, a maximum take-off weight (MToW) of 4 kg, and a maximum range of 10 km. The larger Hunter V2 offers a length of 1.5 m, a wingspan of 1 m, an MToW of 25 kg, and a maximum range of 40 km.
They can undertake functions such as swarm flight and fully autonomous navigation, or be remotely controlled through a ruggedised portable or a fixed ground control station with an integrated mission planning system.
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