UAS platforms
A range of unmanned aircraft architectures for tactical, persistent and specialist missions.
An Avnon Group company
iSTAR
UAS platforms. Engineering. Integration. Manufacturing.
Unmanned aircraft and mission systems for surveillance, intelligence and operational missions. iSTAR provides a portfolio of unmanned aircraft capabilities supported by UAS engineering, payload integration, ground-control systems and manufacturing. Platforms and mission systems are selected and integrated to meet operational requirements across defence, security and specialist applications.
Why iSTAR
Built for the mission.
iSTAR brings together unmanned aircraft platforms, payloads, communications and control systems to deliver mission-capable UAS solutions.
The platform architecture and mission systems are selected according to the operational role, environment, range, endurance and payload requirement.
Payload integration
EO/IR, ISR and specialist mission payloads integrated with the platform and control architecture.
System integration
Aircraft, avionics, payloads, datalinks and ground control integrated into a coherent operational system.
Engineering & manufacturing
UAS engineering and production capability supporting selected platform and programme requirements.
Mission capability
Unmanned capability across the mission.
iSTAR platforms and mission systems support a range of intelligence, surveillance and operational applications.
ISR & surveillance
Airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for persistent situational awareness.
Border & area monitoring
Airborne surveillance for borders, remote areas and strategic approaches.
Maritime operations
Unmanned surveillance and intelligence capability for coastal and maritime environments.
Mapping & reconnaissance
Airborne mapping, survey, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
Special missions
UAS platforms equipped with specialist sensors and mission systems for defined operational roles.
Mission payloads
Integration of surveillance, intelligence and other specialist payloads according to programme requirements.
Platforms
A flexible UAS portfolio.
iSTAR is not limited to a single aircraft type or configuration. Its offering spans different unmanned aircraft architectures selected according to the mission profile and operational environment.
- Fixed-wing UAS
- Efficient platforms for extended-range and persistent airborne operations.
- VTOL UAS
- Platforms suited to operations where vertical launch and recovery provide an operational advantage.
- Hybrid VTOL
- Aircraft combining vertical deployment with fixed-wing flight efficiency.
- Specialist UAS
- Platform configurations for specific surveillance, intelligence and operational applications.
Industrial capability
Engineering and manufacturing behind the platform.
iSTAR combines UAS engineering and system integration with Avnon Group industrial capability to support the development, adaptation and production of unmanned aircraft systems.
Through Comparts, the Group adds advanced composite engineering and manufacturing capability for lightweight structures, airframe components and assemblies.
- Airframe engineering
- Structural engineering, platform adaptation and airframe development.
- Composite manufacturing
- Lightweight composite structures, components and assemblies.
- System integration
- Avionics, payloads, communications and control systems.
- Production capability
- Manufacturing and assembly support for selected UAS programmes.
Mission systems
More than the aircraft.
Operational capability depends on the sensors, communications, control systems and payloads carried by the platform.
iSTAR integrates these elements into the wider UAS architecture.
EO/IR & ISR
Day/night surveillance and intelligence payloads.
Mapping & survey
Photogrammetry, mapping and specialist imaging systems.
Radar & specialist sensors
Mission-specific sensing technologies for defined applications.
Communications & datalink
Secure communications and datalink architecture.
Ground control
Portable and deployable ground-control capability.
Example UAS configurations
Representative platform configurations.
The configurations below illustrate the type of UAS capability available through iSTAR. Final platform selection and mission configuration depend on programme requirements.
Individual platform specifications can be provided according to programme requirements.
Example configuration
Tactical UAS
Compact unmanned aircraft for ISR, reconnaissance and tactical mission applications.
Example configuration
Long-endurance UAS
Platforms designed for persistent surveillance, intelligence gathering and extended-range missions.
Work with iSTAR
Define the mission. Identify the right UAS capability.
Tell us the operational requirement, environment and mission profile. The iSTAR team can identify the appropriate platform, payload and system architecture from across its UAS capabilities.
Avnon Group
Explore the Avnon Group.
Discover the specialist technology, manufacturing and defence companies across the wider Avnon ecosystem.
Start a conversation
Bring us the mission.
Tell us the operational requirement, environment and mission profile. The iSTAR team will identify the right platform, payload and system architecture.