Teledyne FLIR R80D SkyRaider
Between 2011 and 2013, the Canadian company Aeyron Labs developed the SkyRanger® R60 VTOL quadcopter small UAV. In 2019, Aeyron was purchased by FLIR Systems, which in turn was acquired by Teledyne Technologies in 2021. FLIR developed improved versions of SkyRanger, the SkyRanger® R70 and the R80D SkyRaider™. The R80D is a variant of the R70 specifically developed for the U.S. DoD and Federal Government. In June 2020, FLIR received a contract from the U.S. Marines to deliver an unspecified amount of R80D SkyRaider systems. The R80D is one of the three primary VTOL Small UAVs currently used in the USMC, together with the Skydio X2D (RQ-28A) and Teledyne FLIR Black Hornet 3.
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| Photo: Teledyne FLIR |
| R80D SkyRaider |
The R80D SkyRaider quadcopter's equipment for flight operations include a double-redundant navigation system, EO/IR forward-facing cameras and a laser altimeter. Because of its modular design, the R80D offers a very high flexibility regarding the mission payloads, which are attached below the drone's body and can be quickly exchanged to fit mission requirements. Options offered by FLIR include a laser designator, various IR and/or EO imaging payloads for short/long-range ISR, tracking, mapping, object identification etc. under all kinds of lighting conditions, a cargo carry/delivery module, and payloads for detection of CBNRE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive) hazards. FLIR also provides a PDK (Payload Development Kit), which enables 3rd-party integrators and end users to develop their own payload solutions for the R80D SkyRaider.
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| Photo: 1st Lt. William Reckley, USMC |
| R80D SkyRaider |
Apart from the usual free-flying mode, the R80D also supports tethered operation when used from a fixed location. The tether contains the power supply and datalink, for an effectively unlimited mission duration. Even the vehicle's propulsion system is modularized, allowing to exchange the arms and/or propellers in the field for special mission requirements.
Specifications
Data for R80D SkyRaider:
| Length | 1.35 m (53 in) (over rotor tips) |
| Height | 45 cm (17.7 in) |
| Weight | 5 kg (11 lbs) |
| Speed | 50 km/h (31 mph) |
| Ceiling | 4500 m (15000 ft) |
| Range | 8 km (5 miles) |
| Endurance | > 40 min (standard); > 60 min (XL battery pack) |
| Propulsion | Electric motors |
Main Sources
[1] Teledyne FLIR: R80D SkyRaider™
[2] Teledyne FLIR News Center
[3] Airforce Technology: R80D
SkyRaider Unmanned Aerial System
Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4
Last Updated: 17 January 2024