During EDEX 2023, the companies UCANDRONE and SCYTALYS, both members of the EFA GROUP, have left a strong imprint of innovation on defence industry professionals, both in Egypt and the wider Defence and Security community.

In particular, at the UCANDRONE pavilion, the AQUILA Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was showcased, the construction of which was based on the experience gained from the ARCHYTAS program.

The UAV in question is intended for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The system has a noteworthy structural construction with advanced materials and features integrated advanced electronic systems. In particular, its design adopts the mixed blended body made of carbon fiber without adhesive materials and a double V-shaped tail (Vtail), elements that contribute to reducing the weight and minimizing the footprint of the system.

Also, the fully electric propulsion offers a low acoustic footprint, while at the same time, the vertical take-off (VTOL) capability is characteristic, offering flexibility in the launch of the system either from ground or naval platforms. The electric motors in a VTOL configuration contribute to the vertical take-off/landing (the 4 of them), while one in the tail is used for the horizontal cruise of the system.

Its payload includes small and lightweight electro-optical arrays – day and thermal imaging cameras, laser rangefinder – to support Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) operations. Other mission equipment may be installed in the fuselage such as electronic warfare systems, depending on the user’s requirements.

Also read: THEON SENSORS | Driven by high technology at EDEX 2023

The AQUILA can pinpoint the target for the direction of artillery fire, a process that is greatly facilitated by software that provides highly accurate ballistic data.

Specifications:

• Wingspan: 2.64 meters
• Length: 1.44 meters
• Weight: 8.7 kg 
• Maximum take-off weight: 13.6 kg
• Cruise speed: 23 m/s
• Maximum speed: 40.8 m/s
• VTOL capability: winds of 27 knots
• Endurance: 160 minutes in horizontal flight / 210 minutes in hovering target acquisition configuration
• Maximum operational altitude: 1,000-2,500 feet.

At this point, it should be mentioned that the AQUILA is fully compatible with the innovative Portable Mission Information Management System (MIMS) Ranger, which was highlighted during the exhibition by the second company of the EFA GROUP, SCYTALYS.

The said system allows users’ situational awareness in the theater of operations, operating in a network-centric environment. Indicatively, the compatibility of MIMS also with unmanned aerial vehicles, such as the UAV AQUILA, makes the MIMS RANGER part of the wider SCYTALYS MIMS C2 Command and Control system.

The C2 system in question, as you can see in the graph below, also includes thermal imaging systems such as THERMIS MK2 from THEON SENSORS, also a member of the EFA GROUP.

You can read more about this innovative Information Management System and the capabilities it offers for decision-making in dynamically changing situations in the article below.

Also read: MIMS RANGER and UCANDRONE | Tactical Situational Awareness by SCYTALYS – Presentation at the EUROSATORY 2022 exhibition

At the same time, at the UCANDRONE pavilion, we had the opportunity to see the small hexacopter Hunter Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), a custom-made solution that can be used by Special Forces personnel due to its small size and weight, resulting from the use of advanced composite materials, such as special carbon fibers.

The UAS in question has, among other things, a flight endurance of 41 minutes, and the ability to carry a dual electro-optical payload with a day and night (IR) camera and X-20 magnification. Its maximum speed is 96 km/h, while its weight is 2.4 kg.

Finally, the UCANDRONE stand included the target drone NMS-2 of Aether Aeronautics. It is a lightweight, low-cost, medium/high-performance jet target system, specifically designed for firing modern missiles. Due to its high flexibility, it can execute any given operational scenario.

Specifications:

• Length: 2.4 meters
• Wingspan: 1.80 meters
• Height: 0.5 meters
• Maximum Weight: 50 kg
• Maximum speed: 200 m/s
• Minimum speed: 42 m/s
• Operating altitude: 6 km
• Range: 40-100 km
• Endurance: up to 60 minutes
• Payload: Active Radar Cross Section Enhancers, Lüneburg Lenses, Smoke Tracking flares, Smoke Tracking System, IR Flares, and Radar Altimeter

The take-off of the target drone in question is carried out with a VLS Bravo Launcher catapult and its recovery with the use of a parachute.

Also read: DEFEA 2021 – Aether Aeronautics | New standards in target drones at reduced costs

You can watch here our exclusive interview with the CEO of UCAN DRONE, Mr. Stefanakis Dimitrios, as part of the DEFENCE ReDEFiNED team’s mission to Athens for DEFEA 2023.

Below you can view the EFA GROUP stand at EDEX 2023.