Puma™ 3 AE

Group 1 UAS

All Environment Operations

The third-generation Puma 3AE (All Environment) delivers mission-critical ISR in all environments, incorporating more than a decade of battlefield lessons learned from the Puma AE series. A powerful propulsion system provides added thrust at launch, and a reinforced airframe gives it extra resilience for landings.

Puma 3AE options enable warfighters to customize this class-leading UAS for their mission. Operators can switch between the high-resolution Mantis™ i45 and its enhanced night variant, Mantis™ i45 N, for day, night, and low-light operations. Other options include a VTOL conversion kit, an optional battery for up to three hours of flight time, a visual navigation system for GPS-contested environments, and an under-wing transit bay for secondary payloads and third-party applications.

Featured Capabilities:

Defense

ISR & Reconnaissance

Unmanned Systems

3 hours

3 hours

Endurance
12.4 Standard; 24.8 mi with ERA; 37.3 mi with LRTA

20 km Standard; 40 km with ERA; 60 km with LRTA

Operational Range
9.2 ft

2.8 m

Wingspan
4.6 ft

1.4 m

Length
15.4 lb

7 kg

Weight
4 lb standard; 6.5 lbs with Heavy Lift Software

1.8 kg standard; 2.9 kg with Heavy Lift Software

Payload Capacity

Key Features

All-Environment Operations

The Puma AE is built to operate reliably across land, littoral, and maritime domains with a fully waterproof airframe capable of landing on fresh or salt water. This makes it suitable for coastal patrols, shipboard deployment, and amphibious support missions without limiting operators to dry ground conditions.

Hand-Launch & Flexible Recovery

Operators can launch Puma AE by hand, bungee, or rail without needing runways or launch trailers, and recover it through an autonomous deep-stall maneuver. This flexibility enables rapid tactical deployment by small teams from unprepared sites, forward bases, or confined spaces.

Extended Endurance with PS2500 Battery

Puma AE achieves up to three hours of continuous flight time, increasing mission duration and time on station for ISR and reconnaissance tasks. This extended endurance enhances situational awareness and reduces the need for frequent landings during operations.

Advanced EO/IR Gimbaled Payloads

The aircraft supports high-resolution Mantis® i45 or i45 N electro-optical/infrared gimbaled sensors that provide detailed imagery and enhanced surveillance capability in day, night, and low-light conditions. These payloads improve target identification and tracking while keeping the aircraft outside close threat proximity.

Long-Range Connectivity Option

When used with AeroVironment’s long-range tracking antenna (LRTA), Puma AE can extend its telemetry and control reach up to ~60 km (~37 mi), giving commanders flexibility to operate at greater standoff distances from areas of interest.

Puma™ VTOL Kit

The optional VTOL Kit expands the operational capabilities of the combat-proven Puma systems in complex terrain as no runway or large open space is required for launch and recovery, allowing operators to launch anywhere, anytime.