RUAG Ranger
Swiss-Israeli tactical UAV certified for civilian airspace.
Last updated
Sandstein · Public domain
The RUAG Ranger is a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (TUAV) system developed as a Swiss-Israeli joint venture between RUAG Aviation and Israel Aerospace Industries. Its design and some technology are based on the IAI Scout UAV. The Ranger is notable for being the only tactical UAV system worldwide certified to fly in civilian airspace and over populated areas.
Quick Facts
- Length
- 4.61 m / 15 ft 1 in
- Height
- 1.13 m / 3 ft 8 in
- Wingspan
- 5.71 m / 18 ft 9 in
- Maximum take-off weight
- 285 kg / 628 lb
- Payload
- 45 kg / 99.2 lb
- Maximum speed
- 220 km/h / 137 mph
- Service ceiling
- 4,500 m / 14,764 ft
- Range
- 100 km / 62.1 mi
Facts from the source article.
Background
The Ranger system was ordered under the Armament Programme 1995 with a budget of CHF 350 million, entering service in 1999. Four systems were supplied, each including 7 UAVs, 2 electro-hydraulic catapults, 2 mobile ground control stations (one with automatic landing), 2 mobile data receiving stations, and 1 logistics set. The UAV uses a compact hydraulic launcher for takeoff and a skid-based landing system enabling operation on grass, concrete, snow, or ice. Its modular payload allows adaptation to civilian and military missions.
The Swiss Air Force operated the Ranger under the designation ADS-95, with an earlier variant ADS-90 used from 1988 to 1999. The last flight of a Swiss Air Force ADS-95 (D-124) occurred on 27 November 2017. The Finnish Defence Forces also operated 12 drones. The prototype is housed at the Flieger-Flab-Museum in Dübendorf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RUAG Ranger?
The RUAG Ranger is a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle system built through a Swiss-Israeli partnership between RUAG Aviation and Israel Aerospace Industries. It is designed for reconnaissance and surveillance in tactical operational environments.
What are the RUAG Ranger's main physical and performance specs?
The Ranger is 4.61 m long, 5.71 m in wingspan, and 1.13 m tall, with a maximum take-off weight of 285 kg. It can carry a 45 kg payload and cruises at a top speed of 220 km/h.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: RUAG Ranger (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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