Puma Unmanned Aerial Systems for All Environments Explained

Puma unmanned aerial systems are designed to operate in a variety of environments, including desert, jungle, and Arctic conditions.

They can fly at altitudes of up to 10,000 feet and in temperatures ranging from -20 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Puma systems are also capable of operating in high winds and can withstand extreme weather conditions.

One of the key features of Puma systems is their ability to adapt to different terrain, including rough and uneven ground.

The Puma unmanned aerial system is a compact and versatile vehicle. It has a length of 4 ft 7 in (1.4 m) and a wingspan of 9 ft 2 in (2.8 m).

The Puma's maximum takeoff weight is 13 lb (5.9 kg), making it a lightweight and agile system. This weight also affects its performance, with a maximum speed of 52 mph (83 km/h, 45 kn).

Here are some key specifications of the Puma at a glance:

The Puma AE system is designed to be versatile and rugged, with a configuration that allows it to operate effectively in various environments. Each system consists of three air vehicles and two ground stations.

The air vehicles can operate in temperatures ranging from -20 to 120 °F (-29 to 49 °C), making them suitable for use in a variety of conditions.

Wind speeds of up to 25 knots (29 mph; 46 km/h) and an inch of rain per hour (25.4mm/h) do not affect the Puma AE's performance.

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The specifications of a particular aircraft model are quite interesting. The Puma AE, for instance, has a relatively short length of 4 ft 7 in (1.4 m) and a wingspan of 9 ft 2 in (2.8 m).

Maximum speed is a critical factor in aircraft design. The Puma AE can reach a top speed of 52 mph (83 km/h, 45 kn).

The minimum control speed is a safety parameter that's essential to know. The Puma AE requires a minimum speed of 23 mph (37 km/h, 20 kn) to maintain control.

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Range and endurance are also important considerations for aircraft. The Puma AE can fly for a maximum of 2 hours and has a range of 9.3 mi (15 km, 8.1 nmi).

Here's a summary of the Puma AE's specifications:

The Puma unmanned aerial system is used by a variety of military and defense forces around the world. Albanian Armed Forces, for example, purchased 6 RQ-20B Puma Block AE systems through Foreign Military Sales in 2020.

A number of countries operate the Puma system, including Canada, Costa Rica, and the Czech Republic. The Canadian Army operates an unknown number of RQ-20A Puma systems, while the Royal Canadian Navy uses 12 Puma aircraft on its Kingston-class coastal defence vessels.

Some notable operators of the Puma system include the Egyptian Army, Estonian Army, and the German Navy. The Egyptian Army received RQ-20B Puma AE II UAVs, with delivery expected to be completed by 2020. The German Navy has 3 RQ-20B Puma AE II systems in service.

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Here are some notable operators of the Puma system:

The Puma system has also been ordered by several countries, including the US, Denmark, and Sweden. The US Army, for example, signed a $20.4m contract with AeroVironment in March 2012 for RQ-20A Puma AE systems to serve US forces in Afghanistan.

The Albanian Armed Forces have purchased 6 RQ-20B Puma Block AE drones through Foreign Military Sales in 2020, with the first batch handed over in early September 2021.

The Canadian Army operates an unknown number of RQ-20A Puma drones, while the Royal Canadian Navy uses 12 aircraft for all Kingston-class coastal defense vessels.

The Air Vigilance Service in Costa Rica received a system with a total of 6 Puma AE drones as part of a US Military Assistance grant.

In 2018, the Army of the Czech Republic purchased one RQ-20A Puma system, and in 2022, they bought four Puma 3 AE systems.

The Royal Danish Army initially bought Puma AE drones in 2012 and later upgraded to Puma AE II in 2016.

The Egyptian Army is set to receive RQ-20B Puma AE II UAVs, with delivery expected to be completed by 2020.

The Estonian Army purchased an unknown number of RQ-20B Puma AE II UAVs in September 2018, with delivery expected by March 2019.

The Commandos Marine in France operate an unknown number of Puma AE UAVs, with an additional purchase made in 2020.

The German Navy has 3 RQ-20B Puma AE II systems in service.

The Hellenic Army purchased an unknown number of RQ-20B Puma AE II UAVs in June 2017, with delivery completed by September of the same year to special operations units.

The Kosovo Security Forces operate 4 Puma drones.

The Latvian Army operates 3 RQ-20A Puma systems.

The New Zealand Army operates a single top-end AeroVironment Puma drone.

The Norwegian Army bought Puma AE drones in 2018-2019.

The Philippine Marine Corps received 2 systems with a total of 8 Puma AE drones as part of a US Military Assistance grant.

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The Portuguese Navy bought Puma 3 AE in 2024.

The Spanish Army operates an unknown number of Puma AE drones.

The Swedish Army bought Puma AE drones in 2012.

The Turkish Army uses the Puma 3 AE variant, with 30 purchased in 2016 and produced under license by ALTOY.

Here's a list of some of the countries that operate Puma drones:

AeroVironment's Puma 3 AE unmanned aircraft systems have seen significant orders and deliveries over the years. The US Border Patrol placed a $5.25m contract for Puma 3 AE UAS in October 2019.

The US Department of Defense awarded a contract to AeroVironment in December 2019 to provide Puma 3 AE UAS to an allied nation under a foreign military sales contract. This contract was worth millions.

In February 2020, the US Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems programme awarded AeroVironment a $10.67m contract for Puma 3 AE unmanned aircraft systems and spare parts. This contract is a testament to the system's capabilities.

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The Nato Support and Procurement Agency placed two orders worth $9.8m for Puma 3 AE and Raven unmanned aircraft in March and April 2020. These orders are part of a three-year base contract signed in January 2020.

The Puma 3 AE aircraft is capable of flying at speeds up to 45k and can reach altitudes up to 152m above the ground level. Its impressive performance has made it a sought-after system.

AeroVironment has also received significant orders for its Puma AE UAS in the past. The US Department of Defence awarded a $35.3m contract in August 2010 for digital Puma AE UAS and associated spares.

The US Border Patrol placed a $5.25m contract for Puma 3 AE UAS in October 2019.

The Puma 3 AE can fly at speeds up to 45k and reach altitudes up to 152m above the ground level.

The US Department of Defense awarded AeroVironment a contract in December 2019 to provide Puma 3 AE UAS to an allied nation under a foreign military sales (FMS) contract.

The aircraft's payload includes an electro-optical (EO), infrared (IR) camera and IR Illuminator.

The Nato Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) placed two orders worth $9.8m for Puma 3 AE and Raven unmanned aircraft in March and April 2020.

The Puma 3 AE carries a lightweight mechanically and digitally stabilised gimbaled payload.

AeroVironment received a $10.67m contract for Puma 3 AE unmanned aircraft systems and spare parts under the US Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) programme in February 2020.