Israeli drone maker SpearUAV stockpiles 1,000 Viper 300 systems as production ramps up

The Tel Aviv-based drone manufacturer SpearUAV announced this week that it has stockpiled 1,000 Viper 300 loitering munition systems and is prepared to deliver them to customers worldwide as it expands production.

The company said it is now capable of producing “hundreds of systems a month,” although it did not disclose a specific list of Viper 300 customers. Military, police and private security organizations have expressed interest in acquiring similar systems.

The Viper 300 is a small, capsule-launched loitering munition designed to be carried by individual soldiers or deployed from ground vehicles using a Multi Canister Launcher developed by SpearUAV. After launch, the system can rapidly gain altitude, conduct visual surveillance and relay information to nearby ground units.

According to the company, the Viper 300 uses an advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system to analyze changing battlefield conditions and help identify targets. The company describes the AI as “a dynamic cognitive framework” that evaluates multiple factors in real time and adapts to changing environments.

The Viper 300 weighs 2.8 kg (6.2 lb), including its launch capsule and payload, and can reach speeds of approximately 27 mps (60 mph). It has a range of up to 5 km (3.1 miles) and a flight time of up to 20 minutes. Its quadcopter configuration allows it to hover and maneuver in confined or difficult environments, including urban areas, rough terrain and challenging weather conditions.

SpearUAV says the system can be used for a range of missions, including reconnaissance and surveillance, defensive operations, border patrol, homeland security (HLS) and targeting high-value targets.

The Viper family also includes the Viper 40 for tactical use, the Viper 750 for deployment from naval vessels, and the Viper I, an interceptor designed to shoot down drones and other aerial threats rather than strike ground targets.

According to the company’s website, SpearUAV develops encapsulated weapon systems for military forces operating across air, land and sea. Founded in 2017, the company says it specializes in integrating capabilities such as loitering munitions, reconnaissance, electronic warfare (EW) and communications relay systems into platforms used by military forces. Its systems are designed to support the maneuverability, survivability and mission effectiveness of military forces operating across different domains.