Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles
Appendix 4: Undesignated Vehicles
Buster
Copyright © 2005 Andreas Parsch

Mission Technologies Buster

The Buster is a portable mini-UAV built by Mission Technologies Inc. (also known as MiTex). The UAV, which features a unique twin-wing arrangement (a trademark of MiTex designs), is launched with a small catapult and recovered by parachute. It has a payload capacity of 1.4 kg (3 lb) for EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infrared) type surveillance equipment.

Photo: Mission Technologies
Buster


In August 2003, the U.S. Army ordered the first Buster UAVs from Mission Technologies. Since then, the Army has purchased a total of 9 Buster systems with four air vehicles each. They are used by the U.S. Army Night Vision Laboratories as mini-UAV sensor testbeds.

Specifications

Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!

Data for Buster:

Length1.04 m (3 ft 5 in)
Wingspan1.26 m (4 ft 1.5 in)
Weight4.5 kg (10 lb)
Speed65 km/h (35 knots)
Ceiling3000 m (10000 ft)
Range10 km (6 miles)
Endurance> 4 h
Propulsion?

Main Sources

[1] "Unmanned Aircraft Systems Roadmap, 2005-2030", Office of the Secretary of Defense, August 2005


Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 4





Last Updated: 1 September 2005