Edge partners Thai firm on UAVs, munitions

The Sky Scout-M combat UAV is being integrated with Edge Group's RASH-1M precision guided munition, which is seen under the UAV's wings on the far left and far right. (Janes/Jon Grevatt)

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) Edge Group and Thai defence firm RV Connex have announced a partnership to collaborate on “unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loitering munitions, and precision-guided munitions (PGMs)”.

An Edge spokesperson told Janes on 11 November that the agreement, which was signed at the Defense & Security 2023 exhibition in Bangkok, will focus on integrating Edge products on the Sky Scout UAV developed by RV Connex.

“Edge is working with RV Connex to provide RASH and PGMs for integration onto [the company's] Sky Scout fixed-wing UAV,” the spokesperson said. “[RV Connex] will be our reseller to support sales to the Royal Thai Armed Forces and also to explore export opportunities in Southeast Asia.”

At the Defense & Security 2023 show RV Connex unveiled its Sky Scout-M, a new combat version of its Sky Scout UAV. The Sky Scout-M is being integrated by the Thai company with the RASH-1M PGM, which is produced by Edge Group subsidiary ADASI, and Thales' Free Fall Lightweight Multi-role Missile (FFLMM) PGM.

The Sky Scout UAV entered service with the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) in 2021. This baseline UAV, designated ‘U1', is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) gathering and is equipped with a stabilised dual-sensor turret that features electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) and laser designator sensors.

The Sky Scout-M retains these sensors and is also fitted with two new hardpoints for weapons and other payloads.