UAV Systems | VECTIS R
VECTIS R – coaxial octocopter platform for heavy payloads
VECTIS R extends the VECTIS M2 system architecture with a coaxial octocopter configuration for heavy sensor, relay and mission payloads.
VECTIS R is designed as a heavy-payload UAV for applications that require the integration of larger sensors, relay hardware or customer-specific mission components. The platform is based on the VECTIS / Kite 75 architecture and uses four arms, each with one upper and one lower motor.
This coaxial octocopter platform increases propulsion redundancy and provides additional payload margin for demanding EO/IR, radio, datalink and mission configurations. Depending on the mission profile, larger camera payloads, communication hardware, mission computers, datalink components or customer-specific payloads can be integrated.
Tether operation is possible depending on the configuration. Due to the lower propellers as well as the different landing gear and landing geometry, VECTIS R is not intended as a standard configuration for the existing TELEVATOR / landering architecture.
System Variants | Recon & Relay
VECTIS R configurations
VECTIS R is configured for mission-specific payloads. The system architecture can be adapted for heavy sensors, tactical communication relay payloads or customer-specific mission hardware.
Recon configuration
VECTIS R Recon M2
VECTIS R Recon M2 is designed as a reconnaissance UAV with high payload margin for underside-mounted EO/IR and EO/IR/MWIR payloads. The retractable landing gear supports a largely unobstructed field of view for the camera payload and is particularly suited for tactical ISR, observation and reconnaissance missions.
The focus is on larger sensor payloads in the approx. 0.6 kg, 1.5 kg and 2.0–2.2 kg classes, depending on camera, mission computer, datalink, battery and mission configuration.
Relay configuration
VECTIS R Relay M2
VECTIS R Relay M2 is designed as a relay UAV for radio and datalink hardware with increased payload margin. The coaxial octocopter configuration provides additional reserves for communication modules, antennas, mission computers and project-specific system components.
Optionally, a compact detachable EO/IR situational-awareness camera with quick release can be added. The primary purpose, however, remains operation as a UAV communication relay and tactical datalink platform.
System Logistics | Transport & Handling
Transport, folding mechanism and compact stowage
VECTIS R is designed as a compact transport UAV for mobile and vehicle-based mission profiles. Its folding arm geometry enables space-saving stowage, allowing the UAV to be folded down into a significantly more compact form for storage, vehicle transport and mission preparation.
With standard landing gear and a short GPS antenna, the transport or system height starts at approx. 650 mm. The actual height may increase depending on propeller position, antenna configuration, landing gear design, payload mount and mission payload.
Especially in Recon configurations, the underside-mounted payload is a key factor for ground clearance, landing gear design and system height during operation. The landing gear can be extended if required to accommodate larger EO/IR or EO/IR/MWIR payloads and to provide suitable clearance for the sensor system.
VECTIS R therefore combines high payload margin with compact transport geometry. The benefit is not limited to reduced dimensions, but also includes easier loading and unloading, temporary storage and mission preparation.
Technical Classification | VECTIS R
Technical key data of the coaxial octocopter platform
VECTIS R is designed for payloads that go beyond typical VECTIS Recon M2 or VECTIS Relay M2 configurations. The following values describe the current technical working assumptions for the coaxial octocopter platform and depend on battery, payload, datalink, mission computer and mission profile.
Platform class
Coaxial octocopter variant of the VECTIS M2 system architecture with four arms, each with one upper and one lower motor.
Wheelbase
Approx. 1,000 mm, depending on arm geometry, propeller clearance and final system configuration.
MTOW class
Up to approx. 12 kg MTOW, depending on payload, battery, mission hardware and operational reserves.
Empty weight
Approx. 5.2 kg as a technical working assumption without mission-specific payload.
Propulsion & propellers
6S propulsion class with 20–22" propellers; 22" preferred for higher efficiency with heavy payloads.
Mission payload
Approx. 3.5–4.0 kg mission payload possible in battery-powered operation depending on configuration, but with reduced flight time.
Flight time, light payload
Operationally above 30 minutes with light payload, suitable battery configuration and sufficient reserve.
Flight time, heavy payload
Approx. 20–25 minutes with high mission payload, depending on payload, battery, wind, datalink and mission profile.
Mission computer
Optional as a mission computer configuration with 256-GB SSD, video processing, IP streaming, recording and Docker/container capability.
These technical values are robust working assumptions for the website. The final configuration is defined on a project-specific basis, considering payload, center of gravity, power demand, datalink, antennas, mission profile and required operational reserve.
Payloads | Sensors & Mission Data
Payloads, sensors and mission computer
VECTIS R is intended for mission configurations that require additional payload margin for sensors, radio systems or onboard data processing. Depending on the mission profile, the platform can be configured for reconnaissance, relay or customer-specific payloads.
Recon payloads
For reconnaissance and ISR applications, the focus is on underside-mounted heavy EO/IR camera payloads as well as EO/IR/MWIR payloads. Typical payload classes are approx. 0.6 kg, approx. 1.5 kg and up to approx. 2.0–2.2 kg for heavier sensor systems. Depending on the payload class, high optical zoom performance up to approx. 80× and IR resolutions in the 1280×720 or 1280×1024 range are possible.
The retractable landing gear is particularly relevant for recon configurations because it provides a largely unobstructed field of view for the underside-mounted camera payload. For larger payloads, landing gear height, ground clearance and center-of-gravity position can be adapted to the project.
Relay and datalink payloads
For relay applications, VECTIS R can be configured with radio, datalink, antenna and network components. Particularly relevant are MANET/mesh datalinks, tactical IP radio networks, antenna geometry, buffer battery, mounts, cabling and integration into existing communication or C2 structures.
Optionally, a compact detachable EO/IR situational-awareness camera with quick release can be added. The primary purpose of a relay configuration, however, remains radio, datalink and network operation.
Mission computer and data processing
For suitable system configurations, a mission computer configuration with 256-GB SSD, video processing, IP streaming, recording and Docker/container capability can be integrated. This allows video, sensor and mission data to be processed locally, recorded and connected to IP-based system architectures.
Tether Operation | Platform Integration Distinction
Tether operation without standard TELEVATOR / landering integration
VECTIS R can be configured as a tethered UAV depending on the system setup. Cable-powered operation is particularly relevant when heavy sensor, relay or communication payloads need to be operated for extended periods from an elevated position.
Unlike VECTIS Recon M2 and VECTIS Relay M2, however, VECTIS R is not intended for the existing TELEVATOR / landering architecture. This is due to the coaxial octocopter layout, the lower propellers and the different landing gear and landing geometry.
VECTIS R should therefore not be described as a generally TELEVATOR-compatible system. Tether operation must be considered as an independent system configuration in which tether height, cable weight, wind and side-load reserve, buffer battery, tether interface, payload and mission profile are evaluated together.
| Tether height | realistic mission payload with wind reserve | Classification for VECTIS R |
|---|---|---|
| approx. 50–60 m | approx. 2.2–2.5 kg | suitable for heavier sensor, relay or communication payloads |
| approx. 75 m | approx. 1.8–2.0 kg | suitable for medium payloads with an elevated operating position, wind-dependent |
| approx. 100 m | approx. 1.0–1.3 kg | suitable for lighter sensors, more compact relay hardware or reduced mission payloads |
For applications where a cable-powered UAV is intended to operate in a stationary position for extended periods, the specific VECTIS R configuration must be assessed on a project-specific basis. Mission payloads above approx. 2.5 kg are not specified as a standard value for tether operation.
Project Request | VECTIS R
Configure VECTIS R for heavy payloads
VECTIS R is intended for projects that require the integration of larger sensors, relay hardware, mission computers, antennas, datalink components or customer-specific payloads. The final configuration depends on payload, center of gravity, power demand, flight time, tether option and required system integration.
For a robust configuration, we evaluate recon, relay or special payloads, battery and power setup, landing gear, transport geometry, datalink, mission computer, ground system and mission profile together with the project requirements.