During the EDEX 2023 exhibition in Egypt, AirWorker, a Yerevan-based Armenian company, unveiled its latest loitering munition, the AW21, boasting a payload capacity of 2kg, encompassing the warhead and control system. Additionally, the company presented its AW5R autonomous reconnaissance drone.

Follow Air Recognition on Google News at this link

The AirWorker AW21 loitering munition (in the background) was showcased along with the AW5R reconnaissance drone.  (Picture source: Air Recognition)

Established in 2016, AirWorker is involved in consulting services in aircraft engineering and robotics, conducting collaborative research with local and international institutions, including partnerships with the Armenian Ministry of High-tech Industry and the National Polytechnic University of Armenia. The company's portfolio extends beyond UAVs to include engineering projects such as wind turbines, exoskeletons, and lightweight metal construction.

The AW21, positioned as the company's latest loitering munition, features a flight time of 20 minutes, a flight cruise speed of 30 m/s, and a maximum flight altitude of 3,500 m above sea level. Propelled by an electric motor, it can be launched from a container and tolerate wind speeds of up to 10 m/s during takeoff. The AW21 loitering munition maintains a payload capacity of 2kg, covering both the warhead and control system.

Nevertheless, AirWorker's loitering munition offerings extend beyond the AW21. The AW1, with a flight weight of up to 3.5 kg, a flight time of 12 minutes, and a flight cruise speed of 25 m/s, operates with an electric motor and reaches a maximum flight altitude of 3,000 m above sea level. Launched using a catapult, similar to the Russian ZALA Lancet, it can initiate in wind conditions of up to 10 m/s, with a payload capacity of 1.1 kg, covering the warhead and control system.

In its product lineup, AirWorker also proposes the AW17 loitering munition, featuring an extended flight time of 55 minutes. With a flight cruise speed matching the AW1 at 25 m/s, the AW17 reaches a maximum flight altitude of 3,500 m above sea level. Analogous to its counterparts, it takes flight from a catapult and withstands wind speeds of up to 10 m/s during launch. The AW17 maintains the same payload capacity as the AW21, announced at 2kg, inclusive of the warhead and control system.