General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), renowned for its groundbreaking unmanned aircraft from the Predator® to the YFQ-42A Collaborative Combat Aircraft, has introduced a new small launched effect with versatile, multi-mission capabilities for the global defense and aerospace sector.
Named PELE—short for Precision Exportable Launched Effect and inspired by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of natural power—this compact, propeller-driven unmanned aircraft is designed to extend the sensing, reconnaissance, and mission capabilities of its parent platform. PELE is a semi-autonomous, attrition-tolerant UAS featuring an 11-foot wingspan and a 16-horsepower engine, capable of operating in complex environments and also launchable from the ground.
PELE is optimized to work with the MQ-9B SkyGuardian®, one of the world’s most advanced medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned systems, widely adopted or under consideration by several international forces. The PELE system can carry an electro-optical infrared sensor for real-time full-motion video, alongside other onboard sensors and mission payloads.
An example mission could see an MQ-9B deploying PELE near contested borders to survey and identify hostile forces or locate anti-aircraft systems with precision. PELE measures 9 feet in length, weighs up to 250 pounds at takeoff, offers 7 hours of endurance, and can cover up to 500 nautical miles.
