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11 Oct 23. Quantum-Systems unveils Twister small UAV. Quantum-Systems unveiled the Twister small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2023 symposium in Washington, DC, complementing the manufacturer’s larger Vector UAV.
Twister, which can be carried disassembled into six parts in a manportable rucksack, has a 4.1 ft (1.2 m) wingspan (assembled) and weighs 5.5 lb (2.5 kg), of which 350 g are reserved for payload.
The UAV is intended to lift off vertically from a tail-sitting position before transitioning to horizontal flight. It is to be powered by a lithium-ion or lithium polymer battery, giving the craft a 75 minute endurance, David Sharpin, CEO of Quantum-Systems Inc, a subsidiary of Germany’s Quantum-Systems GmbH, told Janes on 10 October at AUSA. The craft can be controlled up to 6.2 miles away from its control station, according to Quantum-Systems.
“[Twister] is in prototype phase and will continue with prototype phase through early next year,” said Sharpin.
Five Twisters are undergoing flight tests at the company’s Munich, Germany factory, Sharpin said, testing different gimbal configurations and nosecones. The UAV is designed to carry two different electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, the NextVision Nighthawk2-UZ and AVT Australia CM62 series.(Source: Janes)
17 Oct 23. South Korea seeks sales for MPUH rotary UAV. With development of South Korea’s new multi-purpose unmanned helicopter (MPUH) complete, the government and industry partners are seeking customers for the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
During Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2023, a source with South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development (ADD) told Janes that the Republic of Korea Army (RoKA) has expressed an initial interest in acquisition of the rotary-wing UAV.
Developed at a cost of KRW16.16bn (USD11.94m), the MPUH is designed to fulfil both military and civilian roles, according to ADD. “For military applications, the rotary-wing UAV has a role as a cargo transport and as a surveillance system,” a second, senior ADD source said.
“The platform has the ability to deliver supplies such as ammunition and food to [far-flung] military units,” the first ADD official said. “South Korea is dominated by mountainous territory and in this setting, the ability to air-deliver supplies to small units is important.”
The senior official told Janes that the MPUH can carry a payload of 60 kg and has an endurance of six hours with a reduced payload of 20 kg.
(Source: Janes)
16 Oct 23. Swedish Army, Home Guard Step Up Training with UAVs. In Ukraine, RPAS (Remotely piloted aircraft system), or drones, have become an important part of the battlefield. Most often, these are exposed to the influence of the opponent, in the form of jamming. Earlier in October, parts of the Swedish Armed Forces practiced handling destroyed systems and directing indirect fire with the help of the craft, with the aim of becoming even more dangerous for the adversary.
The armed forces have long worked with various remotely controlled flying systems, with the aim of scouting and gathering information in various environments. They provide a good basis for decision-making about an operation and to be able to direct indirect fire, for example grenade launchers.
In order to further sharpen the ability to operate with RPAS, an exercise was recently carried out in which the Swedish Armed Forces’ flying systems were put to the test in a jammed environment. The flight unit at K 3, which is functionally responsible for RPAS in the Armed Forces, led the exercise which was carried out with the majority of other units.
“We want to deal with what we now see in Ukraine and the threat picture that exists there. We cannot count on flying without being affected by external systems, but it is a threat we have to live with constantly,” says Nicklas, exercise leader and local flight director at K 3.
During the exercise, the Telekrigbataljonen from the Command Regiment was responsible for the external impact. With the help of their systems, they were able to detect, locate and identify the flying craft, and then move on to, for example, disrupting the craft’s systems.
“What we see in Ukraine is that the pilots usually fly in a remote environment. Therefore, we are now trying to create similar environments so that the Armed Forces’ operators and pilots can practice under those conditions. We also draw our own lessons from the telewar perspective, how we can develop our methods together with the side units on site, says Peter, platoon leader at the Telekrigbataljonen.
RPAS directs indirect fire
In addition to exposing the craft to an external influence, the ability to operate with RPAS is sharpened, in this case to lead in indirect fire. A remote-controlled craft is flown over an area to scout with the help of the sensor, a camera, and then transmit important information that is then used to direct mortars that are fired at the target.
“It is nothing new in itself that we are doing this, but now the operators who fly RPAS receive a lot of training, which makes us more dangerous for the opponent,” says Nicklas.
Units from several arms and different parts of the country participated with SRPAS (combat technical RPAS) groups. By gathering several operators at the same time, they can draw common conclusions and experiences.
“It is very important that we are allowed to train during moments with indirect fire. We are also learning how our system reacts when it is disrupted,” says Linda, SRPAS operator and deputy group leader at P 7.
Home Guard is being developed with RPAS capability
During the exercise, the Dal regiment group from the middle military region was responsible for the shelling with indirect fire – mortars.
“It is important for the Home Guard to practice with the permanently employed defense and vice versa. In war, we must do everything together,” says Daniel, head of the Dalregementsgruppen.
In the coming years, the Home Guard will also develop flying systems. Learning to handle the various sensors in collaboration with other units creates completely new opportunities to solve tasks in war and crisis as well as in support, searches and other types of efforts the Home Guard makes.
One of the Home Guard’s three mortar platoons was on site in Älvdalen to fire indirect fire, after the unmanned craft’s reconnaissance.
“That one of the Home Guard’s most powerful units is practicing here in Älvdalen together with K 3 and the majority of other units, with flying sensors, it is cutting edge, we are doing 9things that are just right at the time,” says Daniel.
Continued action despite disrupted systems
At the end of the exercise, it could be stated that the Swedish Armed Forces’ RPAS system UAV 05 is well able to handle disturbances and continue with the task.
“Disruption of RPAS is a threat that we must adapt to and learn to deal with. Through this exercise, we have gained important experiences that we take with us to develop methods further. What we can ascertain is that we can solve the task, albeit with some adaptations,” says Nicklas.
(Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Swedish Armed Forces; issued Oct 11, 2023)
17 Oct 23. Bayraktar TB3 Prepares for Maiden Flight. Baykar is continuing its development efforts on the Bayraktar TB3 drone, which can take off and land on ships with short runways. In this context, the company successfully completed the first roll test of the Bayraktar TB3, that features a foldable wing structure.
Baykar included footage from the first roll test of the Bayraktar TB3 at the flight training and test center in Çorlu in a post on social media. The Bayraktar TB3, which had been prepared by Baykar engineers before ground tests, was seen successfully starting its engine and leaving the hangar in the brief video.
Bayraktar TB3, which has officially begun ground tests with engine start-up and ground driving tests, is planned to complete taxiing, first flight, and STOBAR type landing and take-off tests by the end of 2023. Bayraktar TB3 is expected to enter mass production in 2024, following the end of the testing phase, with KIZILELMA, another combat drone of the company.
On October 29, 2020, Baykar announced to the public that they were working on developing an unmanned aerial vehicle with folding wings and short-range take-off and landing capabilities. Approximately one year later, during TEKNOFEST 2021, Baykar’s chairman of the board of directors, Selçuk Bayraktar, disclosed the technical specs of the Bayraktar TB3.
Selçuk Bayraktar provided the press with images of the first prototype of the Bayraktar TB3 unmanned aerial vehicle on the assembly line about 6 months ago. The Turkish Navy’s largest ship, TCG Anadolu, was put into service in the same month, and prototypes of the Bayraktar TB3 and Kızılelma were also on the ship’s flight deck.
During the commissioning ceremony of the TCG Anadolu, a multi-purpose amphibious assault ship, Selçuk Bayraktar stated that Bayraktar TB3 will be ready to serve on the ship in 2024 and Kızılelma will be fully ready to serve on the ship in 2025.
Bayraktar further revealed that the TB3 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle may take off and land from TCG Anadolu without the use of the catapult system, and that the arresting equipment for KIZILELMA MIUS will be fitted on the ship in the future. (Source: UAS VISION/Sources: X; Overt Defense)
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