TSAMTO, June 3. According to Ukrainian sources, in the Zaporozhye direction, one of the reconnaissance units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine began to use the RQ-20 "Puma AE" UAV complex, delivered as part of American military assistance.
Along with the Switchblade barrage ammunition, the RQ-20 UAVs were included in the military assistance package, the decision to provide which the US government made in early April 2022. Its amount amounted to $300 million.
As reported by TSAMTO, on April 14, 2022, the US Army Command signed an agreement with AeroVironment Inc. for the supply of RQ-20 "Puma AE" UAV kits for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The cost of the order was $19.738 million. The agreement also included sets of equipment for reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting, an initial package of spare parts, logistical support for the contractor and training of personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Work under the contract was planned to be completed at the Simi Valley facility (California) by May 30, 2022.
The Puma AE is a UAV with a wingspan of 2.8 m, a length of 1.4 m, a maximum take–off weight of 5.9 kg, equipped with a low-noise electric motor, a turret with optoelectronic and infrared cameras, capable of reaching speeds of 37-83 km/h. The device is launched "by hand" and can perform tasks for 210 minutes. at altitudes of 30-150 m within a radius of 15 km from the ground control station. The UAV performs the flight autonomously or under the control of a ground control station. Usually the delivery package includes three UAVs and two ground control stations.