Last October, it was announced that Elbit Systems was awarded a $153 million contract to provide a networked, multi-layered UAS array to an army in Southeast Asia, including more than 1,000 THOR Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) mini-UAS.

Ahead of the delivery of this technology to the army in Southeast Asia, THOR has successfully completed a series of environmental qualification tests, Elbit Systems has announced. 

During the environmental qualification tests, the operational durability of the THOR VTOL mini-UAS was measured under a range of extreme environmental conditions. The drone’s capability to withstand the physical stress requirements under the MIL-STD-810 was also measured during these tests.

According to Elbit Systems, the tests demonstrated THOR’s ability to maintain operability in temperatures varying from minus 40ºC up to 65ºC, withstand hard gusting rain and rough vibrations, and resist penetration and damage from blowing sand and dust.

Designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions over land and at sea, the electrically propelled, VTOL mini-UAS is capable of carrying up to three kilograms of payloads. It has a flight duration capability of up to 75 minutes of operation, a maximal range of 10 kilometers and a flight ceiling of up to 2,000 feet.