S859 Endresia
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| S859 Endresia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Loitering munition |
| Place of origin |  Carloso |
| Production history | |
| Unit cost | D£28,230 ($61,370) |
| Produced | 2020–present |
| No. built | >6,000 (2024) |
| Specifications | |
| Warhead weight | 55 kg |
Operational range | 1,500 km |
| Speed | 200 km/h |
The S859 Endresia is a loitering munition in service with the Carlosian Armed Forces. Named after Endressia, a genus of flowering plant, it was developed in response to the widespread use of cheap loitering munitions by less developed countries, and concerns over the high production costs of cruise missiles. With its compound delta configuration, it boasts several notable improvements compared to similar designs, including a ducted scimitar propeller, and electro-optical and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras to aid navigation and target acquisition, allowing it to conduct nighttime operations. It also makes use of satellite navigation. Optional anti-radiation homing allows it conduct SEAD and DEAD operations. Operated from a ground control station, it does not need a specific target to be launched. Continuously searching for targets using video recognition, it will then dive towards the selected target at high speed; over 400 km/h, upon being given the command. Multiple drones can be controlled simultaneously by the operator. It can carry numerous warheads weighing up to 55 kg, including a fragmentated high-explosive warhead containing tungsten balls. Its fuselage is made of fibreglass and carbon fibre, giving it a radar cross-section (RCS) of approximately 0.01 m2, comparable to a medium-sized bird. It is deployed from a launcher using a rocket-assisted take-off (RATO), with the rocket being disposed of immediately following launch. Due to its low cost and relatively slow cruising speed, it is mainly designed to overwhelm and deplete enemy air defences with pure numbers, with hundreds and potentially even thousands of loitering munitions being used at a time.
It has spawned multiple variants, including a decoy drone stripped of its warhead and all its sensors with the exception of its satellite navigation, as well as a recoverable reconnaissance version. Proposals have been made to equip it to various Carlosian warships via a retractable box launcher. Experimental variants incorporated LIDAR and synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) technology, however the high cost of incorporating these systems proved prohibitive. The turbo-jet powered S867 Turgenia, largely based on the S859 Endresia, was revealed in 2024, capable of a much higher speed of 500 km/h, though at the cost of a reduced range of 750 km.
Design
The drone is powered by a commercially available four-cylinder two-stroke petrol engine, capable of producing 50 hp at 7,500 rpm, which drives a three-blade ducted propeller. It is located to the rear of the aircraft. The scimitar configuration of the blades allows for greater fuel efficiency, particularly at higher speeds. Coupled with the ducted design, the result is that the propeller produces significantly less noise than more primitive loitering munitions. The wings have a compound delta configuration, which reduces drag. This is contrasted with the cropped delta configuration of other loitering munitions, which offset drag with wingtip stabilisers. This configuration helps to marginally reduce the RCS. The wings and fuselage are made from a blend of lightweight fibreglass and woven carbon fibre, which return a low radar signature. The electro-optical and infrared cameras are located on a gimble beneath the nose of the munition, allowing almost total vision around and below the drone. There is room for an optional laser rangefinder. In front of the warhead is space for an optional passive radar seeker, which is used in conjunction with the cameras for anti-radiation operations, including the destruction of air defences and jammers. The seeker can be configured by the operator to hone in on specific bands of radio frequencies depending on the intended target.
The S859 can either be preprogrammed to strike a set of coordinates or be controlled by a team of operators from a ground control station. The operators control the drone's cameras and use video recognition software to detect targets. Before the mission, the drone is usually preloaded with a database of targets, ranked in importance, to assist it in identifying threats. The operator may give the order at any time to attack, and may abort the strike if he changes his mind.
Variants
- S859A - Pre-production version. Phased out.
- S859B - Standard version with all sensors equipped.
- S859D - A 'dumb' version with all sensors removed. May only use inertial and satellite navigation along a pre-planned flight path. Intended for static targets.
- S859E - Same as the S859D but with the warhead removed. Intended for use as a decoy.
- S859L - Experimental version equipped with a LIDAR and a parachute for recovery. Deemed too cost prohibitive for widespread use.
- S859M - Experimental version equipped with a synthetic-aperture radar (SAR) and a parachute for recovery. Like the S859L, it was deemed too cost prohibitive.
- S859N - Variant equipped with a broadband passive radar seeker for anti-radiation operations.
- S859R - Reconnaissance version with enhanced cameras, a laser rangefinder and optional parachute for recovery. In place of the warhead is a suite of ELINT sensors.