Royal Netherlands Navy selects High Eye’s Airboxer VTOL Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

According to a PR published by High Eye on May 14, 2024, the company has entered into a partnership with the Royal Netherlands Navy following the selection of its Airboxer VTOL UAV for maritime applications.

The High Eye Airboxer is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed by the Dutch company High Eye, tailored for both defense and civilian tasks. It is equipped for long-range missions and engineered to withstand a range of environmental conditions from temperatures between -20 to 45 degrees Celsius. The UAV’s endurance exceeds three hours, and it can carry various payloads up to a maximum of 7 kg, depending on its configuration​.

Technologically, the Airboxer is capable of reaching speeds up to 70 knots with operational capabilities beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) for distances up to 180 kilometers on a single tank of fuel. It features advanced communication systems capable of transmitting high-definition video over significant distances.

UAVs in the Royal Netherlands Armed Forces

The Royal Netherlands Armed Forces have integrated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into their operations, primarily using the General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper drones, which they received in 2018.

The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) plans to double its fleet of MQ-9A Reapers from four to eight by 2026. The existing Reapers will be equipped with advanced capabilities such as maritime radars, communications relays, extended range fuel tanks, electronic support measures, and armaments.