On Tuesday, April 25, 2023, SAS Technology wrote a new page in the history of the Greek and the international defence industries, having successfully completed the launch of UCAV SARISA with a 2.75” Hydra 70-type rocket and in particular the FZ90 type manufactured by Thales Belgium.

According to the company’s announcement, the firing took place at a shooting range of the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments. It is noted that this is a leading international effort since the HYDRA 70 rocket was launched for the first time with complete success from a small and relatively easily transportable drone.

This system, as has been proven now, can provide significant capabilities for organic Close Air Support even in small military units. Operationally UCAV SARISA (in some sectors) has been proven to be an effective economical and versatile substitute for very expensive attack helicopters, specially equipped with laser-guided rockets.

Operational Capabilities of the System

The operational capabilities of the SARISA system equipped with HYDRA 70, both with the guided and the basic rocket, include the following:

• Defence of islands against landing operations,
• Use in Special Forces Operations,
• Used as an organic system of naval units,
• Many other corresponding applications and even as an organic system at the service of the local Commander, which no longer needs to depend on the availability of limited operational resources such as fighter jets and attack helicopters.

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History of Development 

The Management and the scientific/technical team of SAS Technology have worked hard to reach this result for the last three years or so, investing in capital, manpower/scientists, and equipment. Along the way, many bureaucratic and other obstacles were faced, but thanks to the support of people in key positions, determined to support the new era of technological developments in Greece, the goal was finally achieved.

SAS Technology is the first Greek company that succeeded not only to manufacture professional unmanned systems of Greek conception, design and manufacture, but also the first to dare to install and successfully test many different weapons and ammunition beyond the powerful HYDRA 70 rocket, such as RPG 18 RPG 26, Grenades, mortar shells, etc., historically creating the first Greek UCAV, the SARISA SRS-1A, with the ARES ARS-1A and EMPUSA EMP-X6T UCAVs to follow.

Within the framework of these activities, the now successful UCAV SARISA firing program with 2.75 rockets (Hydra 70) is included, while many more new innovative programs are to follow, some of which, with particular features of ingenuity and innovation, will be officially presented at the upcoming international exhibition DEFEA (May 9-11).

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This successful firing was a test in a real environment resulting from extensive theoretical analysis of scientific data, which took countless hours of work on the part of the members of the SAS scientific team.

Smooth Recovery Course of the Drone from the Effect of Exhaust Gases

Every test of aircraft, especially of armed ones, also entails risks, which must be sufficiently analyzed in the preparation phase, and all measures taken to allow the greatest possible mitigation, so that the process can be carried out with the maximum possible safety.

For these reasons, SAS Technology carried out a thorough risk analysis, which was submitted to the General Directorate for Defence Investments and Armaments (GDDIA), whose administration approved the execution of this test. A test that was organized and executed in an exemplary manner by SAS Technology with the active support of the Hellenic Defence Systems (EAS), with whom the company has had a particularly productive memorandum of cooperation in force in recent years.

Finally, we should, by all means, mention the impeccable cooperation with the personnel of the shooting range, who provided in an excellent and professional manner valuable guidance throughout the process, based on their extensive experience.

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The Beginning of the Effort

SAS Technology’s intention to create a UCAV armed with HYDRA 70 rockets was first presented at DEFEA 2021. Despite the difficulties and disbelief it faced at times, the company took the long and difficult road and completed its goal. But this is the real path to developing expertise.

All the products that the country purchases all these years entail difficulties and possible failures, which, however, ultimately constitute the real KNOW-HOW of the industry and particularly of the defence industry internationally.

The next steps

The development of the whole program foresees the continuation of the firing aiming at the optimization of its purpose and operational utilization, but this continuity is now based on solid foundations.

With this firing, SAS Technology now proves its capability of reliably carrying out everything it plans with persistence and consistency. The company, like many other Greek companies, can create reliable innovative systems that can give significant operational advantages to the Hellenic Armed Forces and stand up to international competition.

So the time has come for Greece to embrace these efforts and spread its powerful technological wings, realizing that it can now rely on the scientific skills and innovative ideas of its own children, technicians, and scientists.

Also read: Latsco S.L. | Cooperation with S.A.S and donation of SARISA drones to Fire Service