One Weapon, Two Roles: New System Adds Drone Control to the Rifle

Frontline troops may now be able to pilot drones without reaching for a handheld controller, thanks to a rifle-mounted system developed by US firm Pyrrhus Aeronautics.

Called the Laser Aiming & Drone Remote System (LADRS), the 250-gram (0.55-pound) device replaces tablets and joysticks by turning a soldier’s rifle into the drone's control interface.

Instead of lowering the weapon to operate a separate controller, troops can aim the rifle toward a target or area of interest, using the weapon's orientation, laser designator, and integrated button controls to point, designate, and execute drone missions.

Read the full story on NextGen Defense: One Weapon, Two Roles: New System Adds Drone Control to the Rifle