AeroVironment has integrated its Visual Navigation System (VNS) kit with the Puma™ Long Endurance (LE) drone, completing the capability’s rollout across the entire Puma family. This upgrade provides the small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) with a precise, GPS-independent navigation solution for missions in contested environments where satellite signals are degraded or unavailable.
The VNS kit, first fielded in 2022, uses downward-facing cameras and onboard processing to perform Visual Inertial Odometry (VIO). By continuously analyzing terrain imagery and fusing it with inertial sensor data, the system calculates the aircraft’s exact position, velocity, and orientation in real-time without relying on Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). It seamlessly and automatically transitions between GPS and GPS-denied modes, ensuring uninterrupted mission execution.
“Assured navigation is critical, especially as GPS becomes an increasingly vulnerable resource,” said Jason Hendrix, Vice President of Small Uncrewed Systems at AV. “This system enables uninterrupted flight paths and mission continuity in unreliable GPS regions, giving operators a decisive advantage.”
The VNS kit is the latest enhancement for the multi-role Puma LE platform. Recently, AV also integrated a Laser Target Designator and released a Universal Gimbal Kit, evolving the drone from a pure intelligence and reconnaissance asset into a precision-engagement system capable of laser-designating targets.
“Every upgrade is driven by one goal: giving the warfighter greater confidence, flexibility, and capability,” said Trace Stevenson, President of Autonomous Systems at AV. “These releases ensure our platforms remain at the forefront of technology.”
The VNS kit is available as an add-on for new Puma 3 AE and Puma LE orders, and as a retrofit for fielded Puma 2 AE, Puma 3 AE, and Puma LE systems. Designed for easy installation, the compact two-piece system fits within standard transport cases and has minimal impact on the drone’s performance. The standard Puma LE weighs 23.8 pounds, offers 6.5 hours of endurance, a 60-kilometer range, and features tool-free payload swaps for rapid mission reconfiguration.
