Today at Eurosatory, Europe’s biggest defense exhibition, Granta Autonomy, a Lithuanian innovator specializing in autonomous drones for intelligence gathering, showcased their Hornet XR UAV line. These hand-launched recon drones are small and discreet, ideal for covert operations.
The Hornet XR boasts several key features for covert missions. Weighing just 2.9kg, it launches with a simple throw and silently flies for up to 3 hours, covering vast distances (up to 160 km) unseen. Pre-programmed missions allow for autonomous operation, even in GNSS-denied environments, or when radio signals are jammed or unavailable. Landing employs a deep-stall method for easy retrieval, and the compact, modular design makes it easy to transport in a car trunk.
“The Hornet XR embodies Granta Autonomy’s design philosophy,” said Gediminas Guoba, founder and CEO. “Our team of military drone operators and engineers built their expertise into this design. It offers the industry’s best flight time, simple operation, and rugged durability, leading to increased efficiency, lower costs, and unmatched reliability in complex, multi-faceted missions. We collaborate directly with soldiers in combat zones, testing our products and software in real-world situations. This ensures our solutions excel in the harshest conditions.”
The Hornet XR integrates Granta Autonomy’s powerful and dependable GS-214X and GS-218X gimbal systems. These lightweight, market-leading direct drive gimbals feature a powerful camera system, which captures clear daytime images from long distances (up to 5 kilometers) and provides essential thermal vision for nighttime operations, guaranteeing mission success around the clock. Granta Autonomy’s Datalink software ensures compatibility with most Ground Control Station software.
Since 2015, Granta Autonomy, founded by former military engineers Gediminas Guoba and Laurynas Litvinas, has been developing recon drones, lightweight gimbals, and their unique Datalink software. Today, they supply NATO special operations forces across Europe with their hand-launched Hornet UAVs, while also providing their proprietary, ultra-reliable reconnaissance gimbals to a range of partners.
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