Quantum Vector Scorpion Small UAV Now in Service in NZ Army

05 Maret 2025

The Royal New Zealand Artillery’s 16th Field Regiment (16 Fd Regt) is quickly getting to grips with its latest battleground tools, with the Quantum Vector Scorpion small uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) now in full flight (photo: NZDF)

Vector Scorpion gives Army new edge on battlefield

The military-grade drone improves the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF)'s ability to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance activities in environments that are difficult to access, such as combat zones or cyclone damaged regions.

Its primary purpose is to extend and improve situational awareness beyond line-of-sight.

The final UAS were delivered towards the end of 2024, with soldiers now fully up to speed with the system and its capabilities.

Vector Scorpion UAS (photos: (Quantum Systems)

The three-metre wingspan of the Vector Scorpion, and its ease of quick assembly makes it a perfect addition to our soldiers on the front line. It can be operational within three minutes of being taken out of its portable case, and has a 35km range and three hour operating window on a single battery.

While the Scorpion Vector themselves won’t be armed, they provide a distinct advantage to the overall combat system, allowing high quality information to be shared from the battlefield quickly and efficiently.

Commanding Officer 16 Fd Regt Lieutenant Colonel Brent Morris says this latest piece of kit forms a key part of improved reconnaissance and surveillance across the battlefield. 

“The Vector Scorpion is mainly used as a small battlegroup UAS to provide security, reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition. It might be in the form of clearing routes, observing and monitoring targets, and providing real time information to our commanders on the ground to best inform their tactical decisions.

“It provides the NZ Army with a cutting edge piece of kit which means we can keep pace with the rest of the world in the ever evolving UAS realm. It also allows us to develop and grow our tactics and procedures so that we are more deployable more of the time.”

(NZDF)