LMI-5 Auk/Puffin
Auk DHM.1 multipurpose helicopter drone, Puffin DHEW.1 airborne early warning helicopter drone [fig. 2]
Fig. 1 depicts an early unchassised prototype model depicted, fig. 2 a prototype with traditional penny-farthing rotors.
The LMI-5 Auk/Puffin uncrewed rotorcraft or helicopter drone is a multipurpose design from Lyme and Martens Industries (LMI).
LMI-5M Auk
The Auk model, designated LMI-5M by the constructor and DHM by the United Kingdom of Isselmere-Nieland Defence Forces, operates primarily as an anti-submarine aircraft, but provides naval gunfire direction (NGD), over-the-horizon (OTH) anti-ship or anti-submarine missile guidance, low-level real-time reconnaissance and communications relay, and limited surface attack as well.
To perform those many functions, the Auk has a small surface/low-level search radar in its nose along with an optronic sensor turret with low-light level television, imaging infra-red (IIR), and laser ranging. It has a four-cell sonobuoy system and relay channel as well that provides its mother ship, manned helicopters, or other Auks with real-time data. The computer brain, known as the Autonomous Operation Situational Awareness Module (AOSAM), provides the Auk with limited autonomy, permitting the drone to perform self-defence manoeuvres as well as automatic target recognition (ATR).
The DHM.1 "Auk" is a multipurpose helicopter drone capable of performing anti-submarine and anti-surface ship operations, fire observation for naval artillery, over-the-horizon missile guidance, low-level real-time reconnaissance, and serving as a secure communications relay. With its search radar and advanced electro-optical sensor turret (low-light television, infra-red, and laser ranging), the "Auk" can also serve as a picket both against low flying aircraft and sea-skimming missiles and submarines.
The "Auk" can take-off and land autonomously and can be directed by friendly ships or helicopters onto submarine targets through secure datalinks simply by providing the drone with real-time sensor information: the "Auk's" laser inertial navigation and global positioning systems (INS and GPS) do the rest. The DHM.1 is able to use its radar warning receivers and short-range missile launch detectors to avoid enemy anti-air action.
Type: Uncrewed rotorcraft
Functions: Anti-submarine warfare (ASW), naval gunfire direction (NGD), missile guidance, limited anti-ship capability.
Sensors: (Auk): surface/low-level search radar, electro-optical (IIR, LLTV, LIDAR)
Dimensions: length (body): 5.64m; width (body): 3.2m; rotors: 6.1m; height (total): 2.96m; static ground clearance: 1.52m
Mass: empty: 625kg; normal gross: 1661kg; weapons payload (maximum): 650kg+
Propulsion: Demers Turbines TMR-41 driving a contra-rotating advancing blade concept (ABC) rotor system and a small ducted fan providing forward thrust
Range: 225 km with 4 hrs. loitering time, or greater than 6 hrs. endurance.
Speed: 230+ km/h
Payload: 2 centreline stations, each capable of holding 325 kg mass; load-bearing wings can be attached.
Price: $6.5 million (DHM.1), $12 million (DHEW.1); $5 million for ground or tactical control stations (not necessary for RSIN produced ships with either the Type 31L or Type 33L landing systems).
LMI-5EW Puffin
Function: Heliborne early warning
Sensors: Medium range air/surface search radar
Dimensions: Length (body): 5.64m; width (body): 3.2m; rotors: 6.1m; height (total): 2.96m; static ground clearance: 1.52m
Mass: Empty: 625kg; normal gross: 1661kg; weapons payload (maximum): 650kg+
Propulsion: Demers Turbines TMR-41 driving a contra-rotating advancing blade concept (ABC) coaxial rotor system and a small ducted fan providing forward thrust
Range: 225 km with 4 hrs. loitering time, or greater than 6 hrs. endurance.
Speed: 230+ km/h
Payload: 2 centreline stations, each capable of holding 325 kg mass; load-bearing wings can be attached.
Price: $6.5 million (DHM.1), $12 million (DHEW.1); $5 million for ground or tactical control stations (not necessary for RSIN produced ships with either the Type 31L or Type 33L landing systems).
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