SteelRock Velvet Wasp

Close-Support Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Octocopter

United Kingdom | 2020

"The SteelRock Velvet Wasp was debuted at Dubai Airshow 2017 and is intended as a close-support UAV for troops on the ground."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 10/30/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from official SteelRock marketing material.

SteelRock of Britain is developing its "Velvet Wasp" octocopter as a dedicated ordnance-carrying drone to serve in the Close Air Support (CAS) role. Appearing as something out of a science fiction novel, the four-legged creation relies on eight rotors for flight and hovering actions and can carry a single precision-guided weapon under its center mass. Such drone types have been used in the ongoing campaigns across Syria and Iraq where even ISIS forces have taken to arming off-the-shelf helicopter-like drone systems with rudimentary attack functionality.

The Velvet Wasp has the capability to supply the warfighter with an aerial view of the action and attack dug-in enemy forces from the air as/when needed. It carries both an Electro-Optical (EO) and an InfraRed (IR) sensor for the job. Range is out to 62 miles and the air vehicle can hit speeds of 60 miles per hour - though all this depending on the operating terrain (mountainous areas and higher elevations can reduce effectiveness some). Construction relies on carbon fibers and weight is in the 35lb to 40lb range (sans payload). Actual direction of the system utilizes two operators with one serving as the dedicated pilot and the other addressing navigation needs.

One potential drawback of the system is its size - requiring which would require a vehicle or helicopter - but the potential advantages of a helicopter drone may outweigh any negatives; the Velvet Wasp could supply ground forces (in close proximity to elements) with the ability to see over walls or into structures or engage - at range - existing, known threats such as snipers. The operators are assisted by the usual in-built systems which help keep the air vehicle upright but the search, track and attack functions are handled manually. The aircraft also carries an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) neutralization capability where it can help ground operators detonate identified threats from the air with little-to-no risk to personnel.

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Beyond its obvious military attack value, the Velvet Wasp would also be capable of dropping supplies to active forces caught behind enemy lines. A fresh delivery of ammunition, food or medicine could go a long way in sustaining a platoon unable to retreat or relocate. There is also consideration for the Velvet Wasp being used in non-combat roles such as aiding civilians after natural disasters, reaching areas cut-off by land and made inaccessible to rescuers.

Velvet Wasp was on public display during Dubai Airshow 2017 and this specimen was featured with a Textron "Fury" precision-guided missile slung under its body.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the SteelRock Velvet Wasp Close-Support Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Octocopter.

Powerplant consists of engine mated to octocopter (eight) rotor arrangement for flight / hovering actions.
Propulsion

60 mph
96 kph | 52 kts
Max Speed

1,493 ft
455 m | 0 miles
Service Ceiling

62 miles
100 km | 54 nm
Operational Range

City-to-City Ranges
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the SteelRock Velvet Wasp Close-Support Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Octocopter.

2
(MANNED)
Crew

40 lb
(18 kg)
Empty Weight

55 lb
(25 kg)
MTOW

Design Balance
The three qualities reflected below are altitude, speed, and range. The more full the box, the more balanced the design.

RANGE

ALT

SPEED

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the SteelRock Velvet Wasp Close-Support Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Octocopter .

Showcased: Single precision-guided missile (Textron "Fury") held under the mass of the aircraft. Under consideration are precision glide / drop bombs and rocket-propelled munitions.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the SteelRock Velvet Wasp family line.

Velvet Wasp - Base Series Name

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the SteelRock Velvet Wasp. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 1 Units
Contractor(s): SteelRock - UK

[ United Kingdom (possible) ]

Relative Max Speed

Hi: 100mph

Lo: 50mph

Aircraft Max Listed Speed (60mph).

Graph Average of 75 MPH.

Era Crossover

Showcasing Aircraft Era Crossover (if any)

Max Alt Visualization

Production Comparison

1

36183

44000

Entry compared against Ilyushin IL-2 (military) and Cessna 172 (civilian) total production.

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

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Aviation Timeline

EarlyYrs

WWI

Interwar

WWII

ColdWar

Postwar

Modern

Future

♦

1 / 1

Image from official SteelRock marketing material.

Mission Roles
Some designs are single-minded in their approach while others offer a more versatile solution to airborne requirements.

GROUND ATTACK

CLOSE-AIR SUPPORT

RECONNAISSANCE

UNMANNED

Recognition
Some designs stand the test of time while others are doomed to never advance beyond the drawing board; let history be their judge.

Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft

Going Further...
The SteelRock Velvet Wasp Close-Support Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Octocopter appears in the following collections:

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