Reconnaissance drones for special forces: Bundeswehr orders Vector VTOL from Quantum Systems

The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) is procuring a new unmanned reconnaissance system for the Army’s special forces: today, Germany’s Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) signed a framework contract for it. Under the project “remotely piloted reconnaissance system, airborne, short range” (FALKE for short), unmanned aircraft systems of the commercially available type “Vector VTOL” can be procured as reconnaissance drones, with industry also training the operators. The contract with the contractor Quantum Systems GmbH stipulates the delivery of a total of 14 systems from the fourth quarter of 2024.

The Bundeswehr will thus have a system that can be deployed quickly and independently, providing precise reconnaissance at distances of up to 30 kilometres or with a flight time of up to three hours. An integrated combined sensor with optical and infrared cameras allows it to fly day and night in all climate zones.

Accelerated procedure for the reconnaissance drones

The procurement was prepared and carried out under the accelerated procurement procedure. Supported by the Procurement Task Force and the supervising department in the BMVg (Federal Ministry of Defence), a competitive tendering procedure was chosen – here the best way both to procure quickly and to make optimal use of market instruments. This took into account the innovative capacity of medium-sized industry, while also helping to achieve the best value for money.

BAAINBw, the UAS competence centre of Bundeswehr Technical Centre 61 in Manching and the Army’s special forces as the future user worked closely together. As a result, the contract was concluded well under a year after the budget funds had been allocated.

The Bundeswehr already operates the unmanned reconnaissance systems Aladin and Mikado – unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) – which support reconnaissance and combat troops. They are designed for reconnaissance and surveillance limited in time and space, with a reach of no more than five kilometres.

With FALKE, the special forces now receive a reconnaissance system tailored to their range of missions that meets the requirements for range, flight time and sensor capability.