Banshee Recce

The clipped delta wing Banshee Recce is a privately funded development of the successful Banshee target drone by Meggitt Defence Systems (formerly Target Technology Limited).

The reconnaissance version of this aircraft shares the same basic airframe as its target drone cousin with the addition of a new nose cone, surveillance package, flight control system, and ground station. This simplicity allows current Banshee operators to quickly and cost effectively convert there systems to a reconnaissance and surveillance configuration.

The aircraft’s surveillance package consists of single 10x zoom, colour CCD camera fitted in a gimballed mount in the nose cone allowing pan and tilt through a minimum of 180 degrees ahead of the aircraft.

Image data is transmitted in real time to the ground station via a line of sight datalink. The aircraft is, however, limited by this datalink to operations within 50km of the ground control station.

Pakistan currently operates a number of Banshee Recce vehicles while over 3000 target versions have been sold to more than 40 countries since 1983.

Specifications

Manufacturer – Meggitt Defence Systems

Target Market (Military/ Civilian etc) –

Type –

Role(s) –

Wingspan – 2.49 m

Length – 2.95 m

Height – 0.91 m

Weight (Empty) – 47.7 kg

MTOW – 95 kg

Max Payload –

Power Plant – MDS342 HURRICANE 2 stroke, 25hp, flat-twin, 50:1 petrol/oil fuel mix

Alt Power Plant – MDS520 TEMPEST 50hp, 2 stroke, flat four-cylinder, 50:1 petrol/oil fuel mix

Max Speed – 320 kph w/ MDS342 or 389 kph w/ MDS520

Cruise Speed –

Stall Speed –

Max Operating Radius – 50 km

Max Ferry Range –

Max Ceiling – 7000 m

Typical Operating Altitude –

Max Endurance –2 hrs w/ MDS 342 or 1.5 hrs w/ MDS520

Launch Method(s) – Catapult

Recovery Method(s) – Parachute or skid landing

External Links

www.meggitt-defence.co.uk