UAV Systems | VECTIS R Recon M2
VECTIS R Recon M2 – octocopter for heavy EO/IR payloads
VECTIS R Recon M2 is a coaxial octocopter platform for heavy EO/IR, EO/IR/MWIR and ISR payloads.
VECTIS R Recon M2 is designed as a reconnaissance UAV with high payload margin for applications that require larger underside-mounted sensor payloads, long optical range or project-specific camera systems. The platform is based on the VECTIS M2 system architecture and uses four arms, each with one upper and one lower motor.
The coaxial octocopter configuration provides additional reserves for heavy EO/IR camera payloads, mission computers, datalink components and customer-specific sensor integration. The focus is on tactical ISR, observation, reconnaissance and situational-awareness applications with a larger payload class.
A retractable or mission-specific landing gear configuration can support an unobstructed field of view for the underside-mounted sensor system. This makes VECTIS R Recon M2 particularly suitable for configurations where camera payload, ground clearance, center of gravity and data processing must be engineered together.
Recon Payloads | EO/IR & MWIR
Sensor payloads and recon mission profile
VECTIS R Recon M2 is designed for recon mission profiles that require larger sensor payloads to be carried below the platform. The focus is on EO/IR and EO/IR/MWIR configurations for tactical observation, target and situational reconnaissance, border and site protection and mission-specific ISR applications.
The coaxial octocopter configuration provides additional payload margin for the camera payload, payload mount, mission computer, datalink, cabling and power supply. This allows the integration of sensors that would be too heavy or would leave insufficient reserve for the standard VECTIS M2 configuration.
| Payload class | Typical technical classification | Mission profile |
|---|---|---|
| approx. 0.6 kg | compact EO/IR payload with high zoom performance | lighter ISR configurations with high flight-time reserve |
| approx. 1.5 kg | larger EO/IR payload with high optical range | tactical reconnaissance with higher sensor performance and sufficient payload reserve |
| approx. 2.0–2.2 kg | heavy EO/IR or EO/IR/MWIR payload, depending on configuration | demanding recon and ISR missions with a larger sensor class |
Depending on the sensor and mission configuration, optical zoom classes up to approx. 80× and IR resolutions in the 1280×720 or 1280×1024 range are possible. Cooled MWIR configurations can be evaluated on a project-specific basis if payload weight, power demand, center-of-gravity position, data processing and flight-time reserve are compatible.
For suitable configurations, a mission computer configuration with 256-GB SSD, video processing, IP streaming, recording and Docker/container capability can be integrated. This allows video and sensor data to be processed locally, recorded and connected to IP-based system architectures.
Payload Integration | Landing Gear & Field of View
Landing gear, field of view and payload integration
On VECTIS R Recon M2, the underside-mounted payload is a central factor in the overall system design. Larger EO/IR or EO/IR/MWIR sensor systems require sufficient ground clearance, suitable center-of-gravity positioning and a largely unobstructed field of view below the platform.
The retractable landing gear supports a largely unobstructed field of view for the camera payload. This allows the sensor system to operate below the UAV without being unnecessarily restricted by fixed landing gear structures.
The landing gear geometry is defined depending on payload size, sensor movement, ground clearance, propeller clearance and required transport height. With standard landing gear and a short GPS antenna, the system height starts at approx. 650 mm; with larger payloads or extended landing gear, it may increase accordingly.
For payload integration, camera mount, quick-change mechanism, cabling, datalink, mission computer and power supply are considered together. The decisive factor is not only the payload weight itself, but the interaction between center of gravity, damping, field of view, flight-time reserve and thermal load.
This allows VECTIS R Recon M2 to be adapted for different sensor and reconnaissance configurations without limiting the platform to a single payload class.
Technical Data | Recon Configuration
Technical key data VECTIS R Recon M2
The technical key data of VECTIS R Recon M2 depend on payload class, battery setup, mission computer, datalink, landing gear and mission profile. The following values describe a realistic working configuration for underside-mounted recon payloads and tactical ISR applications.
| Platform class | coaxial octocopter variant of the VECTIS M2 system architecture |
|---|---|
| Configuration | four arms, each with one upper and one lower motor/propeller |
| Wheelbase | approx. 1,000 mm |
| MTOW class | up to approx. 12 kg MTOW, depending on payload, battery setup and operational reserves |
| Empty weight | approx. 5.2 kg as a technical working assumption without mission-specific payload |
| Battery configuration | typically 2× 17,000 mAh 6S semi-solid batteries, approx. 3 kg combined |
| Propulsion class | 6S propulsion with motors in the 20–22" propeller class, depending on configuration |
| Propellers | 22" preferred for heavy payloads; 20" as a more compact and robust alternative |
| Coaxial layout | approx. 15 % efficiency loss compared with an ideal non-coaxial octocopter configuration as a working assumption |
| Mission payload on battery | typically approx. 0.6–2.2 kg recon payloads; up to approx. 3.5–4.0 kg depending on configuration with reduced flight time |
| Flight time, light payload | operationally above 30 minutes with approx. 0.6–1.0 kg payload class |
| Flight time, medium/heavy payload | approx. 24–30 minutes with approx. 1.5–2.2 kg payload class, depending on configuration and reserves |
| Flight time, high payload | approx. 20–25 minutes with approx. 3.0–3.5 kg payload class, depending on configuration |
| Landing gear | retractable landing gear; height and ground clearance depend on payload configuration |
| System height | from approx. 650 mm with standard landing gear and short GPS antenna; higher variants possible depending on payload |
| Mission computer | optionally with 256-GB SSD, video processing, IP streaming, recording and Docker/container capability |
A 5 kg payload class is not specified as a standard value for the battery-powered configuration. For heavy recon payloads, payload mass, battery setup, flight time, center of gravity, landing gear height and thermal reserves are evaluated on a project-specific basis.
Tether Operation | Recon Payloads & Operational Reserves
Tether operation for heavy recon payloads
VECTIS R Recon M2 can be configured for tether operation depending on the system setup. The available mission payload is not determined by the camera payload alone, but also by the tether cable, tether interface, buffer battery, mission computer, cabling, mounts and required operational reserves.
For recon configurations with larger EO/IR or EO/IR/MWIR payloads, tether height, wind profile, center-of-gravity position and side-load forces must be evaluated together. The higher the tether height and the greater the wind load, the lower the usable mission payload becomes.
| Tether height | realistic recon mission payload with wind reserve | Classification for VECTIS R Recon M2 |
|---|---|---|
| approx. 50–60 m | approx. 2.2–2.5 kg | suitable for heavy EO/IR or EO/IR/MWIR payloads |
| approx. 75 m | approx. 1.8–2.0 kg | suitable for medium to heavy recon payloads, depending on wind and integration |
| approx. 100 m | approx. 1.0–1.3 kg | suitable for lighter EO/IR payloads or more compact sensors |
Payloads above approx. 2.5 kg are not specified as a standard configuration for tether operation. Such setups must be evaluated on a project-specific basis, considering cable weight, tether angle, wind load, thermal reserves, landing gear geometry and sensor configuration.
Due to its lower propellers and different landing gear and landing geometry, VECTIS R Recon M2 is not intended for the existing TELEVATOR / landering architecture. Tether operation is therefore treated as an independent, configuration-dependent system setup.
Project Request | VECTIS R Recon M2
Configure VECTIS R Recon M2 for heavy sensor payloads
VECTIS R Recon M2 is intended for projects that require larger EO/IR or EO/IR/MWIR payloads to be integrated below the platform. The final configuration depends on sensor weight, center of gravity, landing gear height, mission computer, datalink, battery setup and the required battery-powered or tethered operating mode.
For a robust recon configuration, we evaluate payload class, field of view, ground clearance, power demand, video and data processing, IP streaming, recording, flight-time reserve and integration effort together with the project requirements.