Javelin M-4 SkyPiercer
| Javelin M-4 SkyPiercer | |
| Type | Loitering munition or reconnaissance drone |
|---|---|
| Place of origin |
 Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Introduced | 1721 AN |
| Number built | TBD |
| Designed | 1719 AN-1720 AN |
| Manufacturer | Javelin Industries |
| Operator | 1 |
| Length | 1.6 m |
| Wingspan | 0.51 m |
| Height | 0.63 m |
| Range | 40km |
| Maximum payload weight | 3 kg |
| Endurance | 40 min |
| Maximum speed | 80 to 110 km/h |
| Impact speed | 300 km/h |
| Service ceiling | 5,000 m |
| Impact speed | 300 km/h |
| Warhead | High Explosive (HE) or HE-fragmentation warheads |
The Javelin SkyPiercer is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and loitering munition developed by Javelin Industries for the Raspur Pact. The SkyPiercer represents the culmination of significant advances in UAV technology prompted by Nouvelle Alexandrie's lessons during the Wars of the Dispossessed.
Design
The Javelin M-4 SkyPiercer loitering munition consists of precision strike components, reconnaissance, navigation, and communications modules. The design of the M-4 Skypiercer is based on a cylindrical fuselage with two pairs of X-shaped wings mounted at the front and rear of the fuselage. It incorporates a rear-facing pusher-prop arrangement in contrast to the more conventional puller-prop layout. As a loitering munition, it can spend extended periods in flight above a target area and engage on command when a target is identified, minimizing collateral damage and maximizing mission success. The SkyPiercer measures approximately 1.65 meters in length with a wingspan of 1 meter. It has a weight of 12 kilograms, allowing it to be easily transported and launched from a variety of platforms, including land, sea, and air-based systems.
The M-4 Skypiercer is electrically powered with the engine mounted at the rear of the fuselage driving a two-blade propeller unit arranged in "pusher" mode. It is launched via a catapult launcher from the ground or sea platforms. The drone can fly at a speed from 80 to 110 km/h with a maximum endurance of 40 minutes.
Capabilities
The SkyPiercer is designed for both autonomous and manual control, with advanced guidance systems allowing for precise targeting. The UAV can fly for extended periods, offering prolonged surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. It's equipped with high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging sensors, allowing for operation in day and night conditions and in various weather scenarios. Upon detection of a target, the SkyPiercer can switch to strike mode and dive onto the target, detonating its warhead on impact. The explosive payload is adaptable, enabling mission-specific configurations to deal with different types of targets.
The Skypiercer has a maximum gross takeoff weight of 12 kg and can carry a payload weighing up to 3 kg. It features optical-electronic guidance and a TV guidance unit, which allows the munition to be controlled during the terminal stage of flight. The drone can be armed either with high explosive (HE) or HE-fragmentation warheads. The Skypiercer can be used for reconnaissance, surveillance, and strike missions. According to Javelin Industries engineers, it can be also used in air mining roles. It is a smart multipurpose weapon, capable of autonomously finding and hitting a target. It can transmit video, which allows for confirming successful target engagement. It features autonomous flight operations made possible through onboard artificial intelligence or pre-programming.
