Puma 3 AE
A portable reconnaissance aircraft for day/night observation, with configuration-dependent communications range and an optional VTOL conversion.
- Country / region
- United States
- Programme status
- Supplier-reported status
- Sources reviewed
- 20 Sept 2026
- Primary domain
- Air
- System type
- Reconnaissance aircraft
- Developer / manufacturer
- AeroVironment
- Origin / production countries
- United States
- Other names
- No additional names recorded
- Variants / configurations
- Puma 3 AE; VTOL option; Puma LE is separately specified
- Operators / programme customers
- Not confirmed in the reviewed public sources
Evidence & current status
The sources below establish the stated programme milestone or supplier claim. They do not independently verify every configuration, delivery total or advertised performance figure.
Role & capabilities
- Reconnaissance aircraft
Specifications in context
- Airframe
- Portable fixed-wing reconnaissance aircraft
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Launch / recovery
- Hand launch; optional VTOL kit
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Propulsion
- Not established from the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗ - Dimensions
- 2.8 m span; 1.4 m length
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Mass
- 7 kg published aircraft weight
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Endurance
- Up to 3 h with optional battery
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Range
- 20 km standard; 40 km ERA; 60 km LRTA configuration
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Speed
- Not established from the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗ - Altitude
- Not established from the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗ - Payload
- 1.8 kg standard; 2.9 kg with specified heavy-lift configuration
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Sensors
- Mantis i45 / i45 N day/night options
Published specification for the named configuration. Maxima are not necessarily achievable together.
Source ↗ - Communications / navigation
- Not established from the reviewed public sources.
Public data gap; no estimate or neighbouring variant value substituted.
Source ↗