Lockheed Martin displays canister-launched Outrider drone at DSEI 2017

Sept. 12 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin has displayed its Outrider canister-launched light unmanned aerial system at the Defense and Security Equipment International 2017 exposition in London, Great Britain.

The Outrider is a small UAS designed in concert with the U.K. engineering company Wirth Research. It weighs less than four pounds and is automatically launched upon command. Its small size makes it portable and useable in more restricted environments.

"It provides secure leading edge situational awareness capabilities in its class for ground, surface, air or subsurface operational environments and can be launched at the press of a button," Paul Livingston, vice president and director of Lockheed Martin U.K.-Integrated Systems, said in a statement.

The Outrider mounts high-definition television and infrared cameras for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It has a top speed of nearly 60 mph and can be remote-controlled or operate autonomously along pre-programmed routes.

Lockheed Martin envisions it as a modular system that could be launched from aircraft, ground troops and vehicles, surface naval vessels and submarines. The company hopes to market the system within the Great Britain and to other international customers.

DSEI 2017 is one of the world's largest annual defense expositions and draws industry and government officials from dozens of countries.