Northrop Grumman has demonstrated a communications relay payload for a government customer during multiple flights of its Bat unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

The Bat UAS offers real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, communications and strike capabilities specifically useful for irregular warfare environments.

During five flight demonstrations, the payload was showcased on an air vehicle with a wingspan of 10ft.

Northrop is presently integrating several new payloads, common ground control architecture and air vehicle upgrades including a new engine, a new launcher capability and several air vehicle capability enhancements.

The demonstrations took place between 23 and 26 June 2009 at the Naval Air Facility at California.