The Spanish company ARQUIMEA, a technology company that operates globally in highly demanding defense sectors with more than 17 years of experience, unveils its complete loitering munition system Q-SLAM-40 at IDEX 2023, an international defense exhibition that was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. 

The Spanish company ARQUIMEA unveils its Q-SLAM-40 at IDEX 2023, an international defense exhibition that was held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Picture source Army Recognition)

Q-SLAM-40 is a loitering munition system that is designed to perform safe and efficient short-range missions. The loitering munition is fully designed and manufactured by the Spanish company ARQUIMEA offering a unique product made in Europe. 

The Q-SLAM-40 is a tactical loitering system designed to perform diverse types of short-range operations including protection safely and efficiently, surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition or damage assessment. The loitering system has been designed to tackle complex combat environments in special or conventional operations on the field or from fixed defensive positions.

The Q-SLAM-40 system is a cost-effective, flexible, robust and durable system that can be easily carried by a team of two soldiers in lightweight backpacks. The system is deployed anywhere needed in less than 5 minutes, ensuring fast reaction time.

The Q-SLAM-40 consists of two main elements with the tube launcher station and the drone. The tube-pneumatic launcher has a low thermal and acoustic signature, enabling several launches. The aerial platform airframe is made of a folding wing structure for quick and easy transportation and deployment. The loitering munition system can be used to perform different types of missions, from protection or surveillance to reconnaissance and target acquisition. The pilot can control the platform and abort the mission or redirect it safely if necessary. 

The Q-SLAM-40 is fully operable in a GPS-denied environment in piloted flight mode. Its small size and quiet electronic motor make it very difficult to detect, recognize and track even at close ranges. The system includes advanced airborne guidance, navigation systems, and payload control. It is a fully integrated system with high-speed, digital, encrypted, and bidirectional data links.