At the end of last month, the American high-tech company Performance Drone Works (PDW), which develops artificial intelligence systems and unmanned aerial platforms, announced the successful testing of a "standard unmanned aerial system." As part of the trials, C100 quadcopters operated alongside U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighters.
According to The Aviationist, the C100 drone, equipped with a Leonardo STAG5 laser designator, enabled the aircraft to hit targets with four precision-guided GBU-12 Paveway II bombs.
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Earlier this week, PDW released video footage of the tests, showing the C100 designating targets for bombs at distances of one, 1.5, and two kilometers. The release of the munitions from the aircraft was not shown, but the footage captured both the drone and the F-35A operating together.
Notably, the U.S. Air Force has not officially commented on these trials. However, PDW stated that the tests demonstrated the capability to "safely designate targets without the need to involve support aircraft."
The C100 quadcopter is known to have an operational range of up to 10 kilometers and an endurance of up to 74 minutes. It is a versatile platform capable of carrying out multiple missions, from weapons delivery to transporting small ground robotic systems.
Previously, Defense Express reported suspicions that Lockheed Martin may be misleading the Pentagon with talk of a twin-engine F-35 concept to secure continued funding.
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