Steadicopter has announced the launch of its Golden Eagle HS (Heavy Strike) Rotary Unmanned Aerial System in partnership with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
According to a press release from Steadicopter, this collaboration aims to expand the Golden Eagle family of drones by integrating heavy strike capabilities, significantly enhancing its operational versatility and effectiveness on the battlefield.
The Golden Eagle HS has been equipped with Rafael’s precision-guided Spike missiles, designed to deliver rapid, accurate strikes during tactical operations and close air support missions. The drone’s capabilities extend to a variety of scenarios, including border protection, urban warfare, and open-area engagements, providing a strategic advantage to ground forces while minimizing risk.
“It is a privilege to lead Steadicopter’s exceptional team in the achievement of another significant milestone. The introduction of the Golden Eagle HS, in collaboration with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. — a global leader in missile technology — represents a modern, tactical solution that meets today’s critical operational demands with unmatched precision and standoff strike capability,” said Itai Toren, CEO of Steadicopter. “This partnership blends Steadicopter’s cutting-edge RUAV technologies with Rafael’s decades of defense expertise, resulting in a solution that is greater than the sum of its parts.”
The Golden Eagle HS utilizes Spike missiles known for their fire-and-forget capabilities, high-explosive warheads, and precision guidance. This system allows for flexibility in striking both stationary and moving targets, delivering effective results even in dynamic and congested environments. The platform supports both Spike SR missiles with a range of 2.5 kilometers and the Spike LR2 variant, which extends the range to 5.5 kilometers, enabling diverse tactical missions.
The drone’s advanced sensor suite features a high-definition day/night electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payload and target tracker, with optional integration of SightX’s AI technology. This setup ensures precise target acquisition, tracking, and classification, even in complex terrain or adverse weather conditions. The Golden Eagle HS’s ability to distinguish between different types of targets—whether moving or stationary, human or vehicle-based—adds to its operational reliability.
The drone’s lightweight design, with a total takeoff weight of 50 kilograms, maximizes maneuverability and mission adaptability, allowing for extended standoff engagements without exposing troops to danger. Its ability to operate in tandem formations, with each rotary unmanned aerial vehicle (RUAV) carrying its own missile, ensures mission continuity even if some units are compromised, enhancing overall strike capability.
A senior official from Rafael emphasized the potential impact of this collaboration: “We are pleased to collaborate with Steadicopter in advancing the future of combat, where modern warfare demands innovative and advanced solutions. This partnership provides a cutting-edge, standoff warfighting RUAV that could reshape the modern battlefield, enabling existing and new Spike missile users to utilize them in a more tactical, versatile, and lethal way.”