Altair C2 UAS

Altair is Arabic for "flying eagle" and it is also the brightest star in the Aquila constellation. Like its namesake, the Altair UAS flies high above the battlefield. Altair provides commanders with the information they need to effectively exercise command and control over their forces. Unlike its 4-rotor quadcopter sibling: Arcturus, Altair is a 6-rotor hexacopter.

Its six rotors provides additional lift capacity that greatly extends flight range and loiter time. The increased lift capacity also increases payload weight allowing for more advanced sensors that can better analyze the battlespace.

Quick Features

At-a-glance features of the Altair platform:

1. Flight Time: 100 minutes in baseline testing conditions.

2. Payload Capacity: 10 Kg

3. Service Ceiling: 1 000 meters

4. Sensor Package: 5x sensor clusters with optical and IR sensors for a continuous 360 degree view . Gimbal-mounted scope with 50x optical magnification. Ground-facing LIDAR. Acoustic microphones calibrated to tune out the platform's own rotors. Rotating top-mounted 2.4 GHz detection radar.

5. Weapons Complement: Option to be fitted with 4x remotely operated drop bays on skid-mounted hardpoints. Drop bays can be loaded with light munitions or with other supplies.

6. Communications: Capable of encrypted wireless communications, wired fibre optic connection, or for operation with Vekta's Hard Light secure Line of Sight (LOS) protocol. Hard Light allows Altair to operate with the unencumbered mobility of a wireless system while having the jamming resistance provided by a wired connection.

AWACS for All

Thanks to Altair's expansive sensor package and relatively compact form factor, commanders at every level can now gain a high-fidelity view of the battlespace that can be forward-deployed and operated on-demand with a lengthy time-on-station.

Altair not only serves as a forward-deployed observation post, it also serves as a relay and C2 node for forward assets whether that be troops on the ground or Arcturus drones flying in support below. With Hard Light and its comms suite, Altair is able to coordinate and communicate with Arcturus drones thereby forming the core of a jamming-resistant ad-hoc mesh network that improves force protection and lethality of friendly forces.

Altair's detection AI makes maximum use of its sensors to maintain continuous situational awareness of the entire area around, below, and above the platform. Intelligence on unknown or hostile contacts is processed automatically to generate solutions for human operators. Altair serves a central part in Vekta's layered CUAS defence by coordinating with Algol sensors, Algol softkill solutions, and air-to-air Arcturus platforms to form a comprehensive layered defence.

Hard Light

Altair is equipped with Hard Light recievers and transmitters allowing it to act as an aerial rebrodcasting station. Although Hard Light requires line of sight to function, employing one or more Altair platforms in conjunction with ground-based stations can significantly extend the range of the Hard Light network meaning commanders can observe strict emission controls while still operating with a high degree of freedom.