Penguin C

Penguin C is a long-endurance, long-range small tactical unmanned aircraft system developed in Latvia by UAV Factory (now Edge Autonomy). Announced in 2013 and derived from the earlier Penguin B airframe, it is a 22.5 kg fixed-wing aircraft with a 3.3 m wingspan that can stay airborne for more than 20 hours and operate up to 100 km from its ground station, launched from a pneumatic catapult and recovered by parachute.

Overview

UAV Factory, founded in Latvia with a US subsidiary in New York, built its reputation on the Penguin B, a composite airframe sold to system integrators that set a small-UAS endurance record of 54.5 hours in 2012. Penguin C, introduced in 2013, packaged that proven airframe into a complete, ready-to-fly system: aircraft, gyro-stabilised electro-optical/infrared gimbal, ground control station and catapult launcher, transportable in cases. The design goal was to give small units the persistence of a much larger aircraft while remaining man-portable and runway-independent.

In 2021 UAV Factory rebranded as Edge Autonomy after merging with a US company, and the business later became part of Redwire Corporation. The Penguin C line continues under the Penguin C Mk2 name, and a vertical take-off variant, the Penguin C Mk2 VTOL, was unveiled in August 2021.

Design and capabilities

The aircraft is a conventional high-wing, twin-boom pusher design built from carbon-fibre composites. The fuselage is 2.28 m long with a 3.30 m wingspan; maximum take-off weight is 22.5 kg. Power comes from a 28 cc electronically fuel-injected petrol engine running on 98-octane fuel with an oil mix, paired with an onboard generator that supplies payload and avionics power. The manufacturer quotes a cruise speed of 19–22 m/s (about 68–79 km/h), a maximum level speed of about 115 km/h, and a service ceiling of 4,500 m above sea level (some sources quote 5,000 m).

Endurance exceeds 20 hours, and the digital datalink supports operation at up to 100 km from the ground control station. Launch is fully autonomous from a man-portable pneumatic catapult; recovery is by parachute with an airbag to protect the airframe and payload, so no runway is required. The standard payload is an Epsilon-series gyro-stabilised EO/IR gimbal, and an empty payload bay option is offered for third-party sensors with 6 V, 12 V and 24 V supplies.

The Penguin C Mk2 VTOL adds four lifting rotors on booms fitted with hoods that close over the rotors in forward flight to reduce drag. The manufacturer quotes more than 14 hours of endurance, a 32 kg maximum take-off weight and a 4.5 kg payload for the VTOL variant, with operation in 30-knot winds and temperatures from −40 °C to +50 °C.

Operational history

The Latvian National Armed Forces ordered the Penguin C system in March 2019, making Latvia the first publicly confirmed military operator. The aircraft has also been marketed to civil and government customers for border surveillance, maritime patrol and infrastructure monitoring, and the Penguin airframe family has been supplied to numerous system integrators worldwide.

Variants

• Penguin B – the original airframe-only platform (2012), holder of a 54.5-hour small-UAS endurance record.
• Penguin C – complete tactical UAS built on the Penguin B airframe (2013).
• Penguin C Mk2 – current production version marketed by Edge Autonomy.
• Penguin C Mk2 VTOL – vertical take-off and landing version unveiled in 2021 (32 kg MTOW, 14+ hours).

Frequently asked questions

How long can the Penguin C fly?

More than 20 hours on a single fuel load, according to the manufacturer's datasheet. The VTOL variant is rated at more than 14 hours.

What is the range of the Penguin C?

The digital datalink allows operation up to 100 km from the ground control station.

How is the Penguin C launched and recovered?

It is launched autonomously from a man-portable pneumatic catapult and recovered by parachute with an airbag, so it needs no runway.

Who makes the Penguin C?

Edge Autonomy, formerly UAV Factory, with production in Jelgava, Latvia and operations in the United States; the company became part of Redwire Corporation.

Which countries operate the Penguin C?

Latvia's National Armed Forces are the publicly confirmed military operator; other customers have not been disclosed by the manufacturer.