Landing Zones Canada Inc unveils world-first balloon-launched missile

Medicine Hat, Alberta-based Landing Zones Canada has completed the development and flight test campaign for its latest innovation, the Eagle Advanced Payload Delivery System (APDS).  The Eagle is the world’s first high-altitude balloon-launched APDS, combining high performance, low observability and stealth characteristics, the company says.

The Eagle is a stealthy, long-range Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS); it can be fully autonomous or man-in-the-loop, offering flexibility for military operations, the company adds. A feature of Eagle is its variable wing profile using variable-geometry wings which allows the UAS to transition seamlessly from supersonic speeds to low loitering speeds, optimizing performance across various mission requirements.

“With Eagle, we are setting a new benchmark for military drone technology,” said Spence Fraser, founder & CEO at Landing Zones Canada Inc. “Its variable wing profile, allowing flights from supersonic to loitering speeds, along with its ability to carry various payloads and perform in GNSS contested environments, positions Eagle as a game-changer for military operations worldwide.”

The company says the Eagle system features:

• High-Speed and High-Altitude: Capable of reaching stratospheric altitudes, Eagle is engineered for speed and endurance, ensuring strategic, operational, or tactical effects delivered hundreds of miles downrange with precision
• Proven Performance: The development and recent flight test campaign has validated Eagle’s pioneering world-class capabilities, showcasing its robustness and adaptability in real-world austere conditions
• Versatility: From strategic missions to tactical support, Eagle’s ability to switch between autonomous and human-controlled operations, combined with its variable wing profile, makes it an asset across various mission profiles.
• Stealth and Resilience: With its design focused on low observability, Eagle maintains a minimal radar signature, significantly enhancing its survivability in hostile airspace.