DeltaQuad today announced Evo-LE, the new long-endurance version of its electric fixed-wing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform. Designed to give operators more flight time and range, Evo-LE supports demanding intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
Developed with direct input from frontline operators, Evo-LE draws on end-user feedback and lessons from thousands of operational flight hours. It addresses a clear operational need for persistent aerial intelligence across large and remote areas in contested environments, without dependence on runway infrastructure.
“Endurance changes what is possible in a mission. More flight time over an area of interest provides operators with greater continuity in the information they receive and reduces the need to rotate systems during a mission,” said Ross Jackson, Chief Commercial Officer at DeltaQuad. “Evo-LE gives defence and security organisations a practical way to extend aerial intelligence missions while retaining the deployment flexibility of electric VTOL.”
Engineered for longer missions
Depending on payload configuration, mission profile and operating conditions, Evo-LE offers flight times of up to eight hours and a flight range of up to 480 km. Its radio range extends up to 120 km. The platform has a maximum take-off weight of 13 kg and a payload capacity of up to 1.5 kg. Its dual-battery configuration, redesigned electrical architecture and upgraded VTOL drivetrain are engineered around endurance.
Evo-LE is designed for long-range ISTAR, border surveillance and communications relay missions. It can be configured with anti-jamming, secure communications and autonomous navigation options to support operations in complex environments. Vertical take-off and landing enable deployment from confined spaces, while the automatic landing gear provides an unobstructed 360-degree field of view during mission execution.
Built on the Evo platform
Evo-LE incorporates DeltaQuad’s Block 3 airframe, which is also used by the current Evo platform. The ruggedised airframe uses redesigned composites and incorporates improved ingress protection and rain performance, a heated pitot tube, regulatory-compliant navigation and anti-collision lighting, and redesigned landing legs that detach in the event of a hard landing to help protect the airframe.
The two platforms serve different operational priorities within the Evo family. Evo is configured for maximum payload flexibility, with single- or dual-battery options. Evo-LE uses a dual-battery configuration and is optimised for missions in which endurance is the primary requirement.“
Achieving this level of endurance required changes across the platform, not simply increasing battery capacity. The redesign combines higher-energy-density battery technology with a dual-battery configuration, a redesigned electrical architecture and an upgraded VTOL drivetrain. The result is a platform engineered specifically for longer missions and demanding field conditions,” said Mark van Schie, Head of Product at DeltaQuad.
About DeltaQuad
DeltaQuad designs and manufactures electric fixed-wing VTOL unmanned aerial systems in the Netherlands for defence and security customers. Its platforms combine long endurance, vertical take-off and landing, and adaptable mission configurations to support aerial intelligence in demanding operational environments. DeltaQuad works closely with end users and partners to develop, deliver and support mission-ready capability.
