Solar material like that used in the development of the
solar Puma AE incorporates a thin, mobile power
technology on a flexible substrate that has been
independently certified by the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL) as world-records for both single
(28.8%) and dual (30.8%) junction solar cells.
Puma AE is a flexible, efficient and rugged
hand-launched workhorse for intelligence, surveillance
and reconnaissance (ISR). This solar-power enhancement
makes it even more indispensable for U.S. and allied
military, as well as for domestic public safety
applications, such as firefighting, law enforcement,
search and rescue, oil and gas field monitoring, and
other commercial needs. The solar Puma AE configuration
currently is in the research and development phase. A
production version is planned for early 2014.
The 13-pound Puma AE is fully waterproof, man-portable
and can be assembled in minutes, hand-launched, operated
and recovered on sea or land by a team of two people. It
requires no infrastructure, such as runways, launching
pads or recovery devices. In addition, the system is
quiet and operates autonomously, providing persistent
observation data.
Last month, AeroVironment received a "Restricted
Category" rating for its Puma AE small UAS from the
Federal Aviation Administration. The first-of-its-kind
certificate permits operators to fly Puma AE for
commercial missions in regions of the Arctic.
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