DESERT HAWK

ENHANCING WARFIGHTER CAPABILITIES
FAMILY OF SYSTEMS

The combat-proven Desert Hawk small 

unmanned aircraft system (SUAS) is 

designed to conduct real-time aerial 

surveillance with operational ease, 

mission flexibility, and tactical portability. 

Featuring state-of-the-art 360-degree 

color electro-optic and infrared Full 

Motion Video (FMV) integrated camera 

systems, as well as other interchangeable, 

snap-on Plug and PlayloadsTM, the 

easy to operate Desert Hawk provides 

all-environment day or night support 

to small unit information collection, 

force protection, force support, and 

force application operations. The 

lightweight, rucksack portable air 

vehicles are waterproof, hand-launched 

and rapidly deployable. The system 

Lockheed Martin’s flagship small unmanned air system (SUAS), Desert Hawk sets industry standards for performance and mission 

versatility. Desert Hawk provides day and night support to small unit intelligence, reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and 

related support operations. Key system attributes include higher wind tolerances, high altitude flight, extreme temperature operating 

range, open modular construction and unmatched endurance. This system provides world-class autonomous flight control and 

lowest audible signature while offering a wide range of commerical and military grade communications options.

VERSATILITY + RELIABILITY = DESERT HAWK

can be assembled, mission-planned 

and launched in under 10 minutes. 

The Desert Hawk family operates in 

high winds, at extended altitudes and 

under extreme temperatures. The air 

vehicles are extremely quiet and virtually 

undetectable at operational slant ranges.

Desert Hawk IV improved durability, 

all weather operational capability, 

and longer endurance enable the 

highest system utilization rates in its 

class with unmatched reliability in 

challenging and complex operational 

environments. Adaptability to mission 

and inherent growth is a trademark 

attribute, made possible with Lockheed 

Martin’s open architecture and 

modular, interchangeable imaging, 

communications, and electronic warfare 

payloads. The British army has employed 

Desert Hawk III for aerial reconnaissance, 

surveillance and situational awareness 

tasks since 2005, accumulating tens of 

thousands of operational flight hours.

Desert Hawk III has been in use with the British Army since 2005

and proven capable through thousands of operational hours. 

The Desert Hawk family of systems operate

using the same mGCS software platform.
DESERT HAWK III DESERT HAWK IV DESERT HAWK EER

System Specifications

Weight.......................... 8.2 pounds

Endurance........................ 1.5 hours

Cruise/Dash Speeds.....25/50 knots

Wing Span........................ 59 inches

Payload Capacity.............. 2 pounds

System Specifications

Weight.......................... 8.2 pounds

Endurance........................ 2.5 hours

Cruise/Dash Speeds.....25/55 knots

Wing Span........................ 59 inches

Payload Capacity.............. 2 pounds

System Specifications

Weight........................... 18 pounds

Endurance.................... 2-10 hours*

Cruise/Dash Speeds.......... 35 knots

Wing Span............................12 feet

Payload Capacity......... 4-6 pounds*

* power configuration dependent

DESERT HAWK IS READY TO FULLY SUPPORT THE WARFIGHTER’S NEEDS TODAY AND TOMORROW

Employed in support of combat

operations since 2005, Desert Hawk III

(DHIII) has accomplished thousands of

sorties under austere conditions. The

DHIII system includes hand-launched,

ruggedized air vehicles with modular,

open-architecture, snap-on Plug and

PayloadsTM for mission versatility, a

portable ground control system and a

remote video terminal.

The rugged, lightweight ground control

station supports preflight operations,

rapid and intuitive mission planning and

execution, in-flight retasking, sensor

payload control, and real-time video

display, record and playback.

FEATURES

• Autonomous GPS navigation

• Quiet acoustic signature

• Radio Frequency (RF) signal

geolocation module

• Room for payload growth

• High wind tolerant

• Open architecture

• Rucksack portable

Desert Hawk IV (DH IV) reflects our latest

capability and technology upgrades while

maintaining the basic weight and manportable features of Desert Hawk III. The

system can be launched while standing,

kneeling or in prone positions, and

recovered from confined areas by a single

operator. Spot-recovery is now possible

with a new, deep stall landing capability.

The unique, all-weather pitot system

enables flight in steady rain and heavy

snow, and has demonstrated operations in

winds exceeding 50 mph and in whiteout

conditions. Featuring a user-friendly,

mission-focused mobile ground control

station (MGCSTM) that operates on Linux

or Windows platforms. Waterproof DHIV

is suitable for operations within the

maritime environment.

INCLUDES DHIII FEATURES+

• All-environment

• Improved flight control

• Smart battery with increased, 

150-minute endurance

• High quality EO/IR

• Spot launch and land

Leveraging the basic Desert Hawk

architecture, the Desert Hawk

Extended Endurance & Range (DH

EER) sUAS maximizes endurance and

payload support to mimic group II UAS

functionality. DH EER is a sub-20 lb., handlaunched, power source and payload

configurable platform capable of multifunction missions.

Based on power source configuration, DH

EER provides between 2 and 10 hours of

continuous flight. The glider attributes

include large, flat wing and rudder

surfaces that are ideal for solar power

augmentation to the primary power

source. DH EER versatility includes 3-, 6-,

9- or 12-inch payload bay modules

depending on power source.

Desert Hawk EER multi-functional

capabilities have been proven during

U.S. Army Expeditionary Warrior

Experimentation (AEWE).

INCLUDES DHIII/IV FEATURES+

• Power source configurable

• Up to 6 lbs. payload capacity

• Unassisted hand-launch

Desert Hawk EER the affordable

Desert Hawk III operationally proven. Desert Hawk IV next generation SUAS. alternative for Group II UAS functionality.
Lockheed Martin

Mission Systems and Training (MST)

300 M Streeet, SE

Washington, D.C. 20003

www.lockheedmartin.com/suas

© 2015 Lockheed Martin Corporation

PIRA# OWG201504006

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