Edge Group from UAE Offers HUNTER 10 Loitering Munition to Armed Forces.

Edge Group presented its HUNTER 10 loitering munition at SAHA 2024, held from October 25 to 28, 2024, in Türkiye. This autonomous aerial strike platform, capable of covering long distances while detecting targets before striking them with precision, is one of the company's key innovations showcased during the event.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Edge Group HUNTER 10 Loitering Munition (Picture source: Army Recognition)

The HUNTER 10 loitering munition, developed by Edge Group, stands out as an autonomous solution offering long-range aerial strike capabilities. Launched from a container or a tube, this fixed-wing munition can hit targets up to 100 km away from its launch point. Its extended autonomy, combined with human-in-the-loop control, ensures high precision during strikes, making the HUNTER 10 particularly effective in missions requiring high levels of responsiveness and flexibility.

The HUNTER 10 has a maximum wingspan of 3.6 meters and a length of 2.85 meters. These dimensions optimize flight stability while ensuring good maneuverability, particularly in complex combat conditions. Its total flight time of 150 minutes allows it to cover long distances while maintaining a prolonged presence in the air, a major asset for operations requiring extended observation before a strike. Additionally, its communication range of 100 km guarantees real-time data transmission, essential for precise and effective coordination between the operator and the munition.

In practice, after being launched from a standard container, the HUNTER 10 autonomously flies to the target area, where it can monitor the environment in real time. A typical use case might involve an operation aimed at neutralizing an enemy convoy in motion. Thanks to its human-in-the-loop control, the operator monitors the drone’s flight and can order the engagement as soon as the target is exposed, minimizing collateral damage while striking with high precision.

The flexibility of the HUNTER 10 is also evident in its deployment system. It is designed to be launched from a standard ISO 20-foot container, ensuring logistical compatibility with military equipment already in service. The launcher, which can reach an elevation of 45°, easily adapts to different mission configurations, whether for land or maritime operations. Though robust, with a maximum weight of 5 tons, the launcher remains easily deployable, providing high mobility in various operational environments.

 Its ability to carry a 10 kg payload, combined with an extended range and flight time, makes it an effective and versatile solution for aerial strikes. It meets the growing needs of armed forces, particularly in situations where precision, flexibility, and discretion are critical to the success of complex missions.

Edge Group is a conglomerate based in the United Arab Emirates, specializing in defense, cybersecurity, advanced technologies, and armament. Founded in 2019, the company is part of the UAE’s strategy to modernize its military and industrial capabilities, with a strong focus on innovation and the development of cutting-edge solutions in defense and security. Edge encompasses over 25 companies across various sectors, including munitions, autonomous systems, electronic warfare, cybersecurity, and advanced manufacturing technologies.

Regarding loitering munition systems, Edge has quickly established itself as a key player. Loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones, combine aerial surveillance capabilities with precision strike systems. These munitions loiter over the target area, and once the target is identified, they dive to destroy it. This type of munition is particularly useful in modern conflicts, where the ability to detect and strike targets at a distance, with minimal collateral damage, is crucial.

The war in Ukraine has highlighted the growing importance of loitering munitions on the modern battlefield. These systems offer a unique combination of prolonged surveillance and precision strike capabilities, making them particularly suited for operations in complex and high-threat environments. The extensive use of loitering munitions by Ukrainian forces and their adversaries has demonstrated their effectiveness in disrupting supply lines, targeting artillery systems, and striking fortified positions while minimizing risks to operators.

In this context, EDGE has developed the Hunter 10, a loitering munition designed to meet emerging operational needs. The Hunter 10 stands out for its ability to operate over long distances and remain airborne for extended periods, enabling effective reconnaissance and targeted strike missions. The development of systems like the Hunter 10 reflects the defense industry's adaptation to evolving threats, with a focus on precision, versatility, and the ability to operate in highly contested environments, as demonstrated by the Ukrainian conflict.