Insitu, a Boeing Company, in collaboration with Hood Tech, has released the latest capability upgrades for its revolutionary Flying Launch and Recovery System (FLARES) for the long-endurance Integrator UAS. These updates enhance the system’s resilience to withstand harsh environments on long deployments, with improved communications capability, further solidifying Insitu’s position as a leader in U.S. uncrewed aerial systems.
“Our updated, resilient VTOL kit for multi-mission Integrator is a game-changer for customers needing truly expeditionary capability in challenging electronic and climatic environments,” said Diane Rose, Insitu CEO. “This enhanced resilience, paired with battle-proven Integrator’s long endurance and multi-intelligence payload capacity, enables our customers to fly expanded mission sets with confidence anytime, anywhere, even in the most contested environments.”
The latest FLARES update introduces a suite of resilience and performance enhancements that elevate operational effectiveness, safety, and reliability in demanding environments, making it ideal for maritime and land-based missions. According to Hood Tech’s Lead Engineer, Cory Roeseler, the system continues to operate in more wind, precipitation, and deck motion than competitors, with test ranges often exclusive to FLARES in adverse weather.
FLARES enables launch and recovery of Integrator in confined areas as small as a 10×10 meter footprint without sacrificing endurance (up to 27.5 hours), range (up to 2,000 nautical miles point-to-point), or payload capacity (up to 50 lbs across 10 bays). Integrator also supports multiple SATCOM BLOS control options, including Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) SATCOM, enabling remote-split operations at unprecedented distances.
FLARES is available for current and future Integrator customers with no aircraft modifications required. Setup remains quick and easy, supporting rapid packing, deployment, and transport in challenging environments. When paired with Insitu’s modular Common Ground Control System and INEXA Control, FLARES delivers a truly expeditionary VTOL Group 3 UAS capability, enabling operations in contested electronic environments and harsh climates worldwide. The system is optimized for both maritime and land applications, providing versatile multi-domain ISR solutions for government and commercial operators.
