The AERIS Recon S7 is a compact tactical UAV system designed for ISR-focused reconnaissance and surveillance missions. It is engineered for operational scenarios where rapid deployment, a reduced signature, and reliable sensor data are critical in security-sensitive environments.
As an integrated system platform, AERIS Recon S7 combines the flight platform with a fixed EO/IR reconnaissance payload, IP-based tactical communications, a robust ground control station, and field-serviceable maintenance. This makes the system particularly suitable for situational reconnaissance, perimeter and area surveillance, as well as mobile observation tasks in law enforcement and defense environments.
Jump to: | Sensors & AI | Communications | Tether & Operation | Technical Data
Tactical Reconnaissance / ISR
The AERIS Recon S7 supports the rapid acquisition of reliable imagery and sensor data for tactical situational awareness. The system is designed for reconnaissance and surveillance missions in which aerial intelligence must be available in a timely, precise, and mission-critical manner.
Perimeter and Area Surveillance
AERIS is suitable for airborne surveillance missions in security-sensitive areas, access points, and spaces requiring temporary monitoring. Its EO/IR reconnaissance capabilities help detect movements, anomalies, and changes in the situation at an early stage, even under challenging operational conditions.
Mobile Observation Missions
AERIS is designed for stationary and mobile surveillance missions in security-critical environments. Thanks to its rapid deployment capability, compact system architecture, and integrated reconnaissance equipment, the UAV can be deployed at short notice and used as the situation requires.
Government and Defense Operations
The AERIS Recon S7 is designed for mission-critical applications in law enforcement and defense environments. The system supports operational forces in police missions, search-and-rescue scenarios, and other situations that require robust reconnaissance, rapid deployment, and reliable intelligence gathering.
EO/IR reconnaissance with a fixed mission payload
The AERIS Recon S7 features a stabilized EO/IR payload specifically designed for reconnaissance missions. Visible-light imagery, thermal imagery, and a 40x total zoom are available in an integrated sensor system, supporting situational awareness during the day, at night, and in low-visibility conditions.
Tactical IP Mesh Data Link
The AERIS Recon S7 utilizes an IP-based tactical communications architecture with MANET/mesh capabilities. Control data, telemetry, and sensor data are transmitted via a robust data link designed for low latency, high network scalability, and resilient communication in demanding operational environments.
Smart Return with VIRS
With the Vectorbirds Intelligent Return System, the AERIS Recon S7 performs its return flight and landing approach in an energy-efficient and controlled manner. The return flight takes the current altitude into account, avoids unnecessary high-altitude returns, and supports safer landing procedures.
Resilience in the Event of GNSS Disruption
The AERIS Recon S7 supports controllable flight behavior even in the event of a lost or unreliable GNSS signal. Dead reckoning with wind estimation helps to estimate the position for a limited time and enables approximate navigation back to the starting point. In addition, GNSS-free position hold is available at low altitudes.
Field-Serviceable Maintenance
The AERIS Recon S7 is designed for rapid return to operational readiness. The propulsion unit and landing gear can be replaced without tools; typical replacement procedures can be completed in under a minute. This reduces downtime following field-typical damage and enhances operational availability.
System Design
AERIS is designed as a highly specialized tactical reconnaissance platform. This compact system class is designated AERIS Recon S7: “S” stands for “Small,” and “7” for the seventh generation of the underlying platform architecture. The system is specifically designed for mobile ISR, surveillance, and situational awareness missions in government and defense environments.
Reconnaissance & Assistance
Sensors & AI
AERIS Recon S7 combines stabilized EO/IR reconnaissance with AI-assisted tracking functions and an IP-based payload architecture. Depending on the configuration, different sensor solutions with visible-light and thermal imaging channels, extended zoom performance and sensor-assisted target tracking are available.
Sensor Suite and Reconnaissance Performance
| Sensor architecture | Stabilized EO/IR reconnaissance payload |
| Visible-light channel | 1080p or 720p, depending on configuration |
| Thermal imaging channel | 640 × 480 px, uncooled LWIR |
| Zoom function | 40× total zoom, including 20× optical zoom |
| Display modes | Visible-light image, thermal image, picture-in-picture, side-by-side |
| Target tracking | Cross-sensor EO/IR target tracking |
Data Link & System Integration
Communications & Integration
AERIS Recon S7 uses an IP-based communications and system architecture that brings together control, telemetry, video data and mission-relevant information within a robust data network. The tactical IP mesh data link supports mobile mission profiles, network-capable system integration and resilient communication under demanding operational conditions.
Communication and Data Connectivity
| Communication architecture | IP-based tactical data link |
| Network type | MANET / Mesh |
| Data rate | up to 100 Mbit/s |
| Latency | approx. 7 ms |
| Practical range | typically 3–5 km LOS |
| System integration | Transmission of control data, telemetry and sensor data within an integrated network architecture |
Flight Control & Resilience
Navigation and Operational Safety
AERIS Recon S7 combines precise navigation and return functions with resilient flight behavior under limited GNSS availability. Intelligent return logic, dead reckoning with wind estimation and low-altitude GNSS-denied stabilization support controlled system behavior even in demanding mission scenarios.
Navigation and Return Functions
| Navigation system | Dual-band GNSS / RTK |
| Supported satellite systems | GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS |
| Intelligent return function | VIRS with adaptive altitude management |
| Support during GNSS degradation | Dead reckoning with wind estimation |
| Low-altitude position hold | GNSS-independent position hold using optical flow |
| Recommended optical flow operating range | up to approx. 10 m flight altitude |
Tether & Endurance
Operating Modes & Tether
AERIS Recon S7 supports flexible operating modes for mobile and stationary mission profiles. In addition to conventional battery operation, the system can optionally be supplied with power via a tether system and, depending on the configuration, also operated in a fully cable-bound setup. This allows endurance, communications architecture and mission profile to be adapted to the operational situation.
Operating modes and operating time
| Mobile operation | Power supply via onboard battery, control and data transmission via radio link |
| Hybrid tether operation | Power supply via tether, control and data transmission remain radio-based |
| Fully tethered operation | Power and data transmission via tether, no radio link required |
| Tether operating altitude | up to approx. 45 m |
| Tether data options | Ethernet via twisted pair, optionally up to two fiber-optic lines |
System Integration
Integration and Application Modules
Depending on the mission profile, AERIS Recon S7 can be combined with additional Vectorbirds mission modules. This allows for mission-specific expansion of mobile reconnaissance capabilities, stationary observation concepts, and tethered operation modes.
Tether Ground Stations
For extended stationary surveillance and reconnaissance missions, the AERIS Recon S7 can be combined with tethered ground stations. These expand the system to include a tethered power supply and—depending on the configuration—a tethered data link. This enables mission-specific solutions for persistent aerial surveillance and situation-dependent long-term missions.
Transport & Logistics
Transport and Deployment
The AERIS Recon S7 is designed not only for rapid deployment in the field, but also for flexible transport and secure storage. Depending on the operational concept, robust transport and carrying systems are available for logistics, vehicle loading and mobile units.
Cases for Storage and Logistics
For transport, storage, and vehicle loading, the AERIS Recon S7 can be supplied in a hard-shell case with a custom-fit foam insert. This configuration protects the system during logistics operations and is particularly suitable for scheduled transport, depot storage, and secure deployment.
MOLLE/PALS-Compatible Carrying Systems
In addition, the AERIS Recon S7 can be integrated into MOLLE/PALS-compatible carrying and equipment systems. Depending on operational requirements, standalone modular carrying systems are just as feasible as combined solutions consisting of a backpack, additional pouches, and MOLLE/PALS attachments.
Evaluate the AERIS Recon S7 for your mission profile
Would you like to determine whether the AERIS Recon S7 is suitable for your tactical reconnaissance and surveillance needs? Vectorbirds can assist with technical assessments, answer technical questions, and help evaluate potential mission concepts.