Cabure III

Cabure III is a short-range tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (TUAV) developed by Nostromo Defensa of Argentina, built for reconnaissance, surveillance and target-acquisition missions and refined with the Argentine Marine Corps (IMARA) for sea-based operations.

Overview

Cabure III is the third generation of Nostromo Defensa's Cabure family, which the company has developed since the first version appeared at the Sinprode defence exhibition in Buenos Aires in September 2006. Cabure II first flew in October 2007 and entered service with the Argentine Marine Corps in 2009; after operational exercises and feedback from the Marine Corps, Nostromo developed Cabure III with a lower acoustic signature, extended range and endurance, and the ability to recover the aircraft on water. Shephard Media reported the Cabure III's pre-production flight test campaign complete in December 2010, following a maiden flight the same month.

Nostromo Defensa markets the Cabure family for reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA), force protection, convoy security, battle-damage assessment, critical-infrastructure protection and law-enforcement missions, and positions Cabure III specifically for Latin American marine forces, able to launch from landing ships or fast semi-rigid boats.

Design and capabilities

Airforce Technology lists the Cabure family's dimensions as a 1.2 m length and a 2.2 m wingspan, with a maximum take-off weight of 5 kg and a 1 kg payload. A single 350 W electric motor drives a two-bladed tractor propeller, powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion polymer battery; the source gives a maximum speed of 105 km/h, a stall speed of 38 km/h, a service ceiling of 4,000 m, an endurance of about 2 hours and a line-of-sight range of 20 km.

The aircraft carries an Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) Tammam Micro Pop electro-optic/infrared sensor turret alongside three fixed CCD cameras for daylight, low-light and infrared imagery, with a stabilisation system to steady the camera. Imagery is relayed to the ground control station over a satellite data link, with telemetry on 2.4 GHz/900 MHz. The modular airframe is built from glass fibre, Kevlar and carbon fibre. Cabure III launches from a lightweight bungee catapult and recovers using a deep-stall manoeuvre for a near-vertical landing, cushioned by shock-absorbing foam; per its Marine Corps requirements, it can also recover on water, and it can carry a small parachute for landings in urban areas. A typical system includes two or three UAVs, a ground control station, catapult launcher, spare batteries and a charger.

Operational history

Cabure III was developed in close cooperation with the Argentine Marine Corps (IMARA), which had evaluated the earlier Cabure II in operational exercises. Airforce Technology lists the Argentine armed forces as an operator of the Cabure family. No later deployment details or additional operators have been identified in the sources used here.

Frequently asked questions

What changed between Cabure II and Cabure III?

Nostromo Defensa redesigned the aircraft for a lower acoustic signature, longer range and endurance, and the ability to recover on water, following feedback from Argentine Marine Corps exercises with Cabure II.

How is Cabure III launched and recovered?

It launches from a bungee catapult and normally recovers with a deep-stall, near-vertical landing cushioned by foam; it can also land on water or use a small parachute for urban recovery.

What is the endurance and range of Cabure III?

Airforce Technology lists an endurance of about 2 hours and a line-of-sight range of 20 km for the Cabure family.

What sensors does Cabure III carry?

An IAI Tammam Micro Pop electro-optic/infrared turret and three fixed CCD cameras for daylight, low-light and infrared imagery.

Who operates Cabure III?

It was developed with Argentina's Marine Corps (IMARA) and is listed as operated by the Argentine armed forces.