It has been designed as a MALE (medium-altitude - long endurance) UAV, with its primary role being surveillance, with a secondary signals intelligence capability.

The aircraft was included in a Brazilian Air Force RFP for UAVs in early 2009,[1] though as of 2010[update] the competition has not been concluded.

[2] In 2008, the South African Air Force announced a project, named Itambo, to acquire a MALE UAV in the 2008-2012 timeframe, with the Bateleur presumed to be a front-runner.

[4] Though at present it has a maximum "action radius" of only 750 km (470 mi), a Ku-band satellite datalink was proposed which will allow the Bateleur to extend its range to around 3 500 km (2 175 miles), making it suitable for missions requiring longer ranges such as maritime patrol.

It is also completely autonomous, allowing it to take off, conduct its mission, and land all without human control being required.