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03 Nov 22. Russia Firm Starts Serial Production of Quadcopters for ‘Civilian Market.’
Serial production of multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the civilian market has started in St. Petersburg at the site of the North-West Regional Center of the Russian state-owned company VKO Almaz-Antey – Obukhov Plant (NWRC).
At present, preparations for the serial production of a line of multifunctional UAVs have already been completed. The first four hundred products will be assembled in November, and about a thousand drones are planned to be produced by the end of this year. The project was developed as part of a program to diversify production at enterprises of the military-industrial complex (DIC).
The development of domestic specialists was carried out according to the “quadcopter” scheme, and the most popular and convenient functionality even for a novice user was taken as the basis for the project. The production uses modern Russian materials (carbon fiber, filled polymers, etc.), as well as additive technologies are widely used, which provides the UAV with high strength, low weight and high performance. The device can be operated at strong wind loads and negative temperatures. Almost all components of the product, including the flight controller together with its software, are created and produced by the St. Petersburg enterprises of the Concern VKO Almaz-Antey.
The UAV is supplied in a waterproof case that protects the kit from mechanical impacts and provides easy storage and transportation. The delivery kit includes everything necessary for the operation of the product: the UAV itself, two domestic replaceable batteries, a tablet computer with installed software, a control panel, a kit for transferring video to a mobile device, a set of spare blades and a key for installing them, connecting cables and chargers . Moreover, it is possible to charge a domestic drone both from a conventional outlet and from a car battery, which also facilitates its operation for the user. Each case contains a product passport with quality control marks and detailed illustrated instructions for use.
By the end of the year, the launch of UAV sales is planned. Already now it is possible to place a preliminary order for the production of drones by the enterprises of the NWRC of the Almaz-Antey Concern. The preliminary cost of a complete set of UAVs is significantly lower than foreign counterparts on the market. At the same time, work has already begun to improve aircraft in order to equip them with additional capabilities. In 2023, it is planned to expand the range and increase the production of UAVs of this type.
JSC Concern VKO Almaz-Antey is one of the largest integrated associations of the Russian military-industrial complex, whose enterprises employ about 140 thousand people. (Source: UAS VISION)
04 Nov 22. Kratos and AFRL jointly complete XQ-58A Valkyrie Block 2 flight. The test validated its production XQ-58A UAV’s extended capabilities to various undertake missions. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has successfully completed a flight test of its production XQ-58A uncrewed air vehicle (UAV), under the Block 2 Valkyrie Maturation programme.
The test was conducted in collaboration with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
It involved the use of another Block 2 XQ-58A Valkyrie aircraft, which was manufactured in the company-initiated 12-lot build.
The test was conducted to validate the extended capabilities of the aircraft to undertake missions at comparatively longer distances and higher altitudes with heavier weights.
During the flight test, the teams used/demonstrated encrypted communication with redundant radios/communication packages to explore the possibility of executing missions remotely from government ranges.
The UAV was deployed in a simulated loss of communications scenario, under which the aircraft successfully navigated a site within the target zone for landing. This test marked Kartos’ contribution to AFRL’s Autonomous Collaborative Enabling Technologies (ACET) effort. Separately, Kratos has reported an $8.0m net loss in the third quarter (Q3) of 2022 and a $0.06 GAAP loss per share.
It includes a $6.4m charge and $3.4m in certain non-recoverable costs.
In the quarter, Kratos posted revenues of $228.6m and an operating loss of $3.6m, which includes $6.6m of non-cash stock compensation and $9.6m of company-funded research and development expenses.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) was $20.0m.
Kratos president and CEO Eric DeMarco said: “In Q3, Kratos executed on what we can control in a continued and increasingly difficult operating environment, including a 1.1 to 1.0 book-to-bill ratio and recent MACH-TB Hypersonic award with our partner Dynetics, which could be significantly related to Kratos’ Zeus launch systems and Erinyes vehicles.” (Source: airforce-technology.com)
04 Nov 22. Unwanted UAVs: Belarus’ Military Drones. Spurred on in the early 2010s by the growing international unmanned aerial vehicle market, Belarus has gone on to develop a wide range of UAVs. But despite the country’s success as an exporter of armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) and surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems, foreign clients have so far largely avoided Belarus as a source of their UAVs.
Only Turkmenistan is currently confirmed to operate Belarusian UAVs, which it also produces under license. Further deals signed with Egypt, Ecuador and Vietnam for cooperation and possible production of Belarusian UAVs in these countries has so far not led any of these countries to actually operationally deploy any Belarusian UAV types.
Though offering an array of different UAV designs, including anything from PGM-toting unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to 70 km-ranged loitering munitions and even a delivery UAV known as SkyMule, the saturated drone market and the fact that most of Belarus’ UAVs are as of yet unproven designs are likely the major factors behind the lack of international appeal for the drones. Nonetheless, Belarusian drone technology could one day end up constituting a viable option for countries that are unable to procure Turkish or Chinese UCAVs for their (albeit often already very low) price or due to politics.
Belarus itself fields a number of indigenous drone designs alongside several types acquired from Russia. Most of these UAVs have entered service with the 927th UAS Training and Applications Center at Bereza, a former MiG-29 air base that became the hub for Belarusian drone operations in 2010. The 927th Center was originally entirely made up of service personnel previously employed by the air base’s resident MiG-29 unit (along with the air base’s resident dog Technar), but has since taken on a more professional character by solely recruiting specialised personnel.
The primary UAV types deployed by the 927th Center are the Busel (a licence-produced version of the Russian Orlan-10) and the Supercam S100 and S350, which are also Russian designs. Belarusian designs make up the rest of the country’s operational drone inventory. In addition to providing reconnaissance, another important task is target acquisition for the 336th Rocket Artillery Brigade’s BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) and Polonez(-M) guided MRLs. Efficient integration of UAVs with these rocket systems maximises their effect on target; drones thus constitute something of a force multiplier for a number of weapons systems currently available to the Ground Forces.
While the 927th Center and other subunits and branches of the Belarus Armed Forces meanwhile deploy UAVs for reconnaissance and target acquisition, the Armed Forces are as of yet lacking UCAVs and loitering munitions. Even though Burevestnik-MB UCAVs have frequently participated in the country’s biannual victory parades, these are in fact showcased as products of the country’s defence industry, not as part of the military’s operational inventory. Nonetheless, the country’s desire to introduce such capabilities to operational service has been voiced on more than one occasion
Possible types could consist of the ULA-70/1ULA-100/200 ”Grif-100” and Yastreb or perhaps even a larger Chinese design to be assembled in Belarus in a similar deal to the Chinese-designed Polonez(-M) MRL, as well as a number of smaller Chinese drone designs already assembled in Belarus by Avia Tech Systems.
The chance of most other indigenous armed drone designs entering service appears very small. Such designs include the Bur and Hunter (seen below) unmanned attack helicopters. Another exotic design is the MF-212 UCAV, which is based on the airframe of a Hungarian Magnus Fusion 212 light aircraft. This contraption, which also exists in a manned version, can carry up to two R-60-NT-T air-to-air missiles (AAMs) or R-60-NT-L laser-guided air-to-ground missiles (AGMs) or two dumb bombs. Though highly unconventional even in its manned configuration, the latter version appears to have secured an order for three examples by the Nigerian Army.
To go with the UCAVs several payload options have been designed to make them maximally effective. This includes jamming equipment as well as a number of both guided and unguided munitions. The UPAB-08 (guided) glide bomb, KAB-05 guided bomb and an as of yet unnamed guided bomb appear the most promising of these designs.
Interestingly, Belarus has also developed a sizeable arsenal of unguided munitions for use from its UCAVs. This mirrors developments in neighbouring Russia, whose largest UCAV and loyal wingman designs are even set to deploy (O)FAB dumb bombs and even RBK-500U cluster bombs – certainly constituting an appallingly ineffective mission profile for a UCAV.
The goal of this list is to comprehensively catalogue Belarus’ inventory of unmanned aerial vehicles and their armament. The part within the apostrophes refers to other designations or an unofficial designation. In an effort to streamline the list and avoid unnecessary confusion, this list only includes military-grade drones. (Source: UAS VISION/Oryx)
03 Nov 22. Turkey’s TAI developing new drone, with hopes for supersonic version. Turkish Aerospace Industries is developing the country’s first indigenous subsonic drone, a company official revealed.
The subsonic drone could either be named Goksungur or Simsek. The Turkish word “gok” translates to “sky” in English, and “Simsek” to “thunder.”
The TAI official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the matter with the press, said the company wants to develop a supersonic version during later phases of the program.
The drone in development is expected to have a maximum speed of Mach 0.7 and to make its maiden flight in February 2023.
It’s being developed to perform fire support and intelligence gathering missions at a high altitude of 50,000-60,000 feet.
One idea under consideration, the official said, is to use the future system in combined operations with the Aksungur, the largest UAV manufactured by TAI. The first deliveries of the Aksungur to the Turkish military took place in October 2021.
The Aksungur performs long-term surveillance, signals intelligence, maritime patrol and combat missions. It has a wingspan of 24 meters (79 feet) and a payload capacity of 750 kilograms (1,653 pounds). It is equipped with the CIRIT mistsile, developed by state-controlled missile-maker Roketsan. The Aksungur could one day launch a smaller version of the drone currently in development, according to the TAI official. (Source: Defense News)
01 Nov 22. Aurora Flight Sciences Announces New Fixed-Wing eVTOL Small UAS.
- SKIRON-X is a Group 2 sUAS that combines simple operation with flight endurance and payload flexibility
Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company, has released its latest small UAS product, the Skiron Expeditionary sUAS, or SKIRON-X. This Group 2 unmanned aircraft system (UAS) combines the simple operation of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) configuration with the longer range and endurance of a fixed-wing design. SKIRON-X is a flexible solution for effective deployment across a wide variety of environments.
With an EO/IR camera that provides excellent ground resolution, a low noise signature, and a military-grade radio, SKIRON-X is well suited for airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. For operations requiring a variable or custom payload, SKIRON-X has a modular nosecone design enabling quick payload swaps and custom integrations.
SKIRON-X operations are quick to train, and user-friendly mission planning software makes it easy to implement mission changes, even during flight. It takes 15 minutes from setup to launch and 10 minutes to pack out. The air vehicle is FAA PART 107 compliant, providing flexibility to fly in more areas for testing, training, and data collection.
“At Aurora, we are excited to bring to market a product that is both simple to deploy and highly capable,” said Mike Caimona, president and CEO. “We are looking forward to supporting our customers with the customized features and services they need to take SKIRON-X into the field and collect aerial data that is critical to their mission.”
The first customer for SKIRON-X is Bridger Aerospace. Bridger has purchased two systems and will deploy them for the 2023 fire season. The SKIRON-X sUAS will complement their growing aviation fleet to provide data and imagery to help firefighters be more effective and safer.
The SKIRON-X systems were recently delivered to Bridger Aerospace to begin deployment preparations. Aurora will provide customer support while continuing product development and testing activities to optimize the product for Bridger and for additional customer use cases. (Source: ASD Network)
01 Nov 22. Stealth Drone Emerges Ahead of China’s Big Arms Expo.
What appears to be a new and stealthy-looking Chinese drone has emerged at Zhuhai International Airport ahead of the biennial airshow and trade expo set to formally open there next week. There are indications that the drone may be an actual prototype, rather than just a mockup.
There is already speculation that this could be the first look at a new unmanned combat air vehicle, or UCAV, designed to work closely together with J-20 stealth fighters, among other types.
Pictures and videos showing the drone are now circulating on social media after its apparent arrival recently at Zhuhai. China’s state-run aerospace companies routinely debut new uncrewed and crewed military aircraft designs, as well as other advanced technological developments, at what is formally known as the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. The 2022 iteration of the show is currently scheduled to officially open on November 8 and run through November 13, but work is already well underway to get things ready.
So far, the available imagery offers limited views of the drone due to the angles they have been taken from and a camouflage covering that was eventually removed, but had initially obscured certain portions of the aircraft. There are unconfirmed reports that the uncrewed aircraft is a design from the Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group (CIAG) and does appear to have been put on display right next to an example of that company’s Wing Loong-10 drone, also known as the Cloud Shadow. Some posts on social media say that the new drone could be a ‘loyal wingman’ type design from CIAG, which is sometimes also referred to as Chengfei.
From what we can see in the pictures and video clips available so far, the drone has a tailless flying-wing-type planform, though the exact layout of its wing structure is not entirely clear. It also has a prominent top-mounted air intake and circular exhaust for what looks to be a single jet engine. It’s worth noting that when it comes to stealthy drones, it’s possible the exhaust configuration would be further refined into a better low-observable arrangement as the design matures and testing progresses. Russia’s Hunter UCAV took this route, for example. It’s also possible, this aircraft is not designed with high-end low-observability in mind, especially from the rear aspect.
There are no readily visible features that provide clear indications about what payloads the drone may be able to carry, which in turn could provide more insight into what its intended roles and missions might be. There is, however, a large open section visible on the left side of the central fuselage that could be a payload bay of some kind. The nose section also looks to be reasonably big enough to accommodate a radar of some kind, among other sensors or flight systems.
In addition, there are a number of indications that the drone could be a real prototype, instead of just a full-scale model. This includes a covered flight data probe at the front of the nose, a ‘remove before flight’ safety tag on the left underside of the nose section, and relatively robust-looking nose and main landing gear assemblies. Of course, none of this precludes the possibility that this is still a mockup or that if it is a prototype of some sort, it is a non-flying one intended for testing purposes on the ground.
Regardless, it is interesting that this uncrewed aircraft has emerged at Zhuhai just two weeks or so after a video showing what could be a new stealthy-looking Chinese flying-wing-type drone in flight popped up on social media. Star Systems’ Star Shadow and the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s (AVIC) CS-550T, as well as the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) CH-7, were discussed as possibilities for what was seen in the clip.
The footage was unfortunately very low quality, but it seemed unlikely to show a CH-7. What is seen flying might also show some kind of subscale test article or even a hobbyist’s radio-controlled model.
Whether or not there is any link between the mysterious drone that has now appeared at Zhuhai appears and the video is presently unknown, but the newly emerged design looks to be unrelated to the CH-7, Star Shadow, or CS-550T, at least based on what we’ve seen on those designs in models and mockups so far.
Earlier this month, Chinese state-run television channel CCTV-7, which is dedicated to People’s Liberation Army (PLA) related programming, also aired a feature focusing on crewed-uncrewed teaming. It included, among other things, depictions of a two-seat J-20B stealth fighter flying together with what looked to be four Hongdu GJ-11 Sharp Sword UCAVs.
(Source: UAS VISION/The Drive)
31 Oct 22. AgEagle’s eBee X Series Drones Approved by FAA for Operations Over People. AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. has announced that the Company’s eBee X series of fixed wing unmanned aircraft systems, including the eBee X, eBee GEO and eBee TAC, are the first and only drones on the market to comply with Category 3 of the Operations of Small Unmanned Aircraft System Over People rules published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in March 2021.
Barrett Mooney, Chairman and CEO of AgEagle, stated,
“Becoming the first and only UAS approved for OOP in the United States is expected to have material impact on AgEagle’s growth and standing as a recognized leader in the industry. It is another important testament of our commitment to providing best-in-class solutions to our commercial partners, and we are confident that this will serve as a key driver in the growth of eBee utilization in the United States. We believe it will further improve the business applications made possible by our drone platform for a wide range of commercial enterprises which stand to benefit from adoption of drones in their businesses – particularly those in industries such as insurance for assessment of storm damage, telecommunications for network coverage mapping and energy for powerline and pipeline inspections, just to name a few.”
Securing a Part 107 certificate of waiver from the FAA is a long, arduous and costly process for sUAS users. Now that the eBee has proven compliant with Category 3 of the rules, eBee drone operators no longer require an FAA waiver for OOP or Operations Over Moving Vehicles. This major milestone has been achieved by AgEagle following months of work, historic reliability review and extensive testing conducted by Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (“MAAP”) based on the Means of Compliance MAAP has developed, and which is accepted as proof of compliance by the FAA.
“Having an aircraft approved to operate over people will fundamentally change the way drone operations can be planned and conducted in the U.S.,” said Tombo Jones, director of the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership. “When the FAA published the rule, it identified a clear-cut pathway to a goal that all of us in drone integration have been working towards for a long time; this approval demonstrates that pathway is viable. Our testing reflects years of expertise that we’ve built in evaluating the risk of drone operations, and we’re proud that it could play a role in making this milestone possible.”
This compliance demonstrates yet again that eBees are the drone of choice to conduct advanced operations involving flying Beyond Visual Line of Sight (“BVLOS”) or Operations Over People (“OOP”).
The eBee is currently approved for use by the U.S. Department Of Defense pursuant to the Blue sUAS 2.0 program; for BVLOS operations in Brazil; and OOP and BVLOS operations in Canada.
It is also the first drone to receive European Union Aviation Safety Agency (“EASA”) C2 certification and a Design Verification essential for this kind of operations from EASA. (Source: UAS VISION)
31 Oct 22. GA-ASI To Deliver MQ-9A REAPERS To Poland. As part of a lease agreement, Poland will take delivery of MQ-9A Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI). The new agreement between GA-ASI and the Polish Ministry of Defence has a net value of $70.6m.
“GA-ASI’s support for Poland and the NATO alliance is steadfast as they confront the ongoing war in the region,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue. “We look forward to delivering our proven MQ-9A platform system to Poland to enhance the nation’s ability to conduct persistent airborne ISR and support its Defense Forces.”
MQ-9A Reapers are operated by the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain. GA-ASI’s newer MQ-9B variant has been acquired by the UK and Belgium. The MQ-9B maritime surveillance configuration (SeaGuardian®) recently began operations in support of the Japan Coast Guard.
MQ-9A Reaper has endurance of over 27 hours, speeds of 240 KTAS and can operate up to 50,000 feet. It has a 3,850-pound (1,746-kilogram) payload capacity that includes 3,000 pounds (1,361 kilograms) of external stores. It provides a long-endurance, persistent surveillance capability with Full-Motion Video and Synthetic Aperture Radar/Moving Target Indicator/Maritime Radar. An extremely reliable aircraft, MQ-9A Block 5 is equipped with a fault-tolerant flight control system and triple redundant avionics system architecture. It is engineered to meet and exceed manned aircraft reliability standards.
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