BAE Systems Silver Fox

The Silver Fox is a small, gas-powered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used for autonomous aerial surveillance. Weighing about 30 pounds, it can carry sensor payloads of up to four pounds, including electro-optical and infrared cameras for day and night full-motion video. The aircraft transmits its video feed to a ground station, which can control up to ten Silver Fox units simultaneously.

Originally developed by Advanced Ceramics Research, the program was acquired by BAE Systems in 2009. Sensintel Inc. bought BAE’s unmanned aircraft programs in June 2013, and Raytheon purchased Sensintel in January 2015. The Silver Fox performs autonomous takeoffs and landings and supports military intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

In July 2013, the Colombian Air Force purchased three Silver Fox UAVs, along with rail launchers, ground control stations, and video systems. The drones have been deployed by the U.S. military to the southern Philippines for operations in the Moro conflict, where at least one was captured by MILF rebels.