Lockheed Martin has unveiled its four-rotor unmanned aerial system (UAS) that is designed to particularly enhance the military intelligence operations, including securely completing sensitive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

"The newest version of Lockheed Martin's Indago quadrotor unmanned aerial system, Indago 3 now enables a military customer to securely complete sensitive ISR missions with the addition of TrellisWare Technologies MANET software products," Lockheed Martin said in a press release on Monday.

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The upgraded Indago 3 system features an enhanced propulsion technology for reduced noise signature and longer flight time. It also offers a military-grade encrypted and secure data link, safe video dissemination on several multi-node networks, and long-range radio distance operations at low-altitudes, the US defense contractor said, according to Sputnik News.

Its minimal radio frequency footprint could also be attained using the TW-600 Ocelot module by TrellisWare.

"We are pleased to partner with Lockheed Martin to help enhance Indago 3's airborne networking in challenging environments with reliable and long range connections," Matt Fallows, director of Applications & Systems at TrellisWare. "The Ocelot module, equipped with TrellisWare's robust TSM networking, is built specifically for integration into UAS."

Indago 3 has a flight time of up to 50 minutes, a range of 10 kilometers, and a cruise speed of up to 25 mph. It can also operate at temperatures as low as three degrees below zero and as high as 120 degrees.

The collapsible Indago quadrotor UAS also weighs just less than 5 lbs. and could be folded into a man-packable unit with no tools required for assembly. It could be unfolded in a minute and airborne in just 2.5 minutes. The Indago 3 is also designed to withstand operations in harsh environments and weather conditions.

Last month, Lockheed Martin also unveiled its new concept video featuring a vertical lift program, dubbed the SB>1 Defiant, which could potentially replace the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter and the UH-60 Blackhawk.