Anduril, a defense tech startup based in the United States, is introducing a new drone called Bolt, which can perform various missions.
In a press release, published on October 10, 2024, the company announced that it has launched a complete Bolt family of man-portable, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) Autonomous Air Vehicles (AAVs).
Bolt, the base configuration, is designed for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and search and rescue missions. Bolt-M, the weaponized version of Bolt, is equipped with a warhead that allows it to be used as a loitering munition, colloquially known as a “kamikaze drone”.
These weapons offer a secure option compared to standard man-portable anti-tank systems (MANPATS) due to their increased range. Additionally, their ability to hover and use visual guidance enables more accurate targeting.
This concept has gained prominence during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is now sought after by multiple armed forces around the world.
Bolt-M provides autonomous waypoint navigation and can track, find and strike various objects without needing specific targets, the press release continued.
With more than 40 minutes of flight time and a range of 20 kilometers to support ground forces, it can handle complex tasks and detect fixed and moving targets such as light vehicles, foot soldiers and trenches.
As a VTOL AAV, it does not need special launch gear and can be easily deployed in crowded areas. With its onboard camera, Bolt can track targets from long distances during both day and night missions.
The Bolt family of systems is lightweight and compact, allowing any soldier to easily include Bolt or Bolt-M in their gear. When necessary, Bolt-M can be set up and ready to use in less than five minutes, giving troops quick access to precise firepower whenever they need it.
