Puma LE
AeroVironment · United States · also known as Puma Long Endurance · Updated
Puma LE (Long Endurance) is a hand-launched mini-UAV from AeroVironment, built to deliver Group 2 endurance and range in the same portable footprint as the company's Group 1 Puma 3 AE. AeroVironment rates it for 6.5 hours of flight on a 12.4 kg maximum take-off weight, carrying a 2.5 kg sensor payload.
Overview
AeroVironment unveiled Puma LE at the AUSA 2019 Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C., as the next generation of its combat-proven Puma All Environment line, which it says has logged hundreds of thousands of operational flight hours. Puma LE reuses existing Puma RQ-20B and Puma 3 AE line-replaceable units, so operators already fielding either earlier variant can upgrade existing systems rather than buy an entirely new aircraft. AeroVironment has supplied Puma LE capability upgrades to existing Puma fleets under foreign military sales contracts with U.S. allies, alongside its continuing production of the shorter-endurance Puma 3 AE.
Design and capabilities
Puma LE spans a 4.6 m wingspan and 2.2 m length, weighing 10.8 kg with its standard Mantis i45 day/night sensor turret and reaching a maximum gross take-off weight of 12.4 kg with its full 2.5 kg payload capacity, including 1.5 kg of secondary-bay capacity with dedicated power and Ethernet for additional sensors. AeroVironment quotes a 29 mph (47 km/h) cruise speed and a 76 km/h (41 kn) dash speed, a typical operating altitude of 91–914 m above ground level, and a maximum flight altitude of 3,200 m density altitude. Standard link range is 20 km, extending to 40 km with the Extended Range Antenna or 60 km with the Long Range Tracking Antenna and Puma Smart 2500 battery.
The aircraft is hand-launched, bungee-launched or vehicle-launched, and recovers by an autonomous or manual skid landing without needing a net or other recovery equipment; AeroVironment also rates it for landing on water. Operators can field-swap between the Mantis i45 EO/IR turret and the Mantis i45 N low-light/LWIR night turret for quick day-to-night reconfiguration. An enhanced Digital Data Link supports AES-256 encryption across additional frequencies, and AeroVironment says the aircraft is inaudible at 500 ft (152 m) altitude. It flies with AeroVironment's Tomahawk, Crysalis or Legacy ground control stations.
Operational history
AeroVironment has delivered Puma LE capability under foreign military sales contracts, including a $2.6 million award in 2020 to upgrade an existing Puma fleet for a U.S. ally and a further $10.5 million Puma LE foreign military sales contract in 2022, though the publicly reported announcements do not name the purchasing country.
Frequently asked questions
How long can the Puma LE fly?
AeroVironment rates it for 6.5 hours of endurance with its standard Mantis i45 sensor payload.
What is the range of the Puma LE?
20 km standard, extending to 40 km with the Extended Range Antenna or 60 km with the Long Range Tracking Antenna.
How much payload can the Puma LE carry?
Up to 2.5 kg total, including 1.5 kg in its dedicated secondary payload bay.
How is the Puma LE launched and recovered?
By hand, bungee or vehicle launch, recovering by an autonomous or manual skid landing, including on water.
Is the Puma LE compatible with earlier Puma systems?
Yes. It reuses Puma RQ-20B and Puma 3 AE line-replaceable units, letting existing operators upgrade fielded aircraft.
