Photo by Marcin on Unsplash
Drones,also known as UAV(unmanned aerial vehicles)which have become valuable assets for modern military operations in the world.Many countries across the world are in possession of these drones to help them carry out their operational activities smoothly and easily.So,this article is an exposition to review 10 military drones you should know about.
- Predator C Avenger
This is a drone that performs that has the following functions;multi-mission intelligence,high-speed/long-endurance,precision strike missions and Surveillance and Reconnaissance(ISR)over land or sea.It can be used to load Hellfire missiles,guided bombs and ammunition.It has a maximum speed of 400k and endurance of 20 hours.
The Predator C Avenger is remote-controlled and has a maximum take-off weight of 8,255kg.It has the capacity for multiple sensor payloads which is attached to the wing hard-point mounting.The internal weapon bay function as a precision mutations and large sensors up to 1,588kg.The total payload capacity of the aircraft is 2948kg.Its weapon payload includes Hellfire missiles,guided bomb unit(GBU)-12/49 laser-guided bombs,GBU-31 GBU-32,GBU-38 38 joint direct attack munitions(JDMA)and GBU-39 and GBU-16/48 bombs.
- Heron TP
Heron TP can also be called Eitan and was developed by Israel Aerospace Industries(IAI).it is an automatic combat taxi-take-off and landing(ATOL)drone used by the Israeli Defence Force(IDF).It has maximum payload capacity of 2,700kg,combat payloads such as guided bombs and air-to-ground missile,Global System for Mobile communications(GSM),in-built multiple mission systems such as synthetic aperture radar(SAR)and communication intelligence sensors.
3. MQ-9B SkyGuardian
MQ-9B SkyGuardian is used by Royal Air Force as part of its Protector RG Mk1 programme.It is developed by the GA-ASI and armed with laser-guided bombs and/or AGM114 Hellfire missiles.The flying altitudes is above 40,000ft with maximum speeds of 210k and leftover airborne for more than 40 hours.The drone has a maximum take-off weight of 5,670kg,has nine payload stations,hold a maximum payload of 1,814kg and has the capability taking combat payloads such as 500lb.It has a GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided bombs and/or AGM114 Hellfire missiles.
4. Predator B(MQ-9 Reaper)
Predator B(MQ-9 Reaper)is used by the US Air Force,Nasa,the Royal Air Force and the Italian,French as well as the Spanish air forces.The UAV id developed by GA-ASI,the remotely piloted aircraft(RPA)is designed in compliance with the STANAG 4671 Nato standards.
The drone is capable of carrying external payload of 1,361kg.It is twice as fast as the previously produced predator and carry 500%more payload,maximum altitudes up to 50,000ft,maximum speed of 240k and 27 hours endurance.
5. CH-5
CH-5 UAV/drone,also known Rainbow UAV and was designed China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation(CASC)and has a similarity to the US-made MQ-9 Reaper drone.The drone has a maximum maximum take-off weight of 3,300kg,payload capacity of 1,200kg,hard-points on each wing to the quad pack of AR-2 SAL,two twin-packs of AR-1 SAL missiles and guided anti-armour missiles.The drone is also powered by a 330HP single engine,a speed of 118k and 60 hours maximum endurance.
6. Yabhon United 40
The Yabhon United 40 MALE aircraft called Smart Eye 2 is developed by ADCOM Systems in UAE.The drone is used by the Algerian Forces with the local name,“Algeria 54”.It is a multi-mission drone that has a four under-wing pods to carry ammunition weighing up to 400kg..It is built with the capacity to carry maximum payload of 1,000kg,has a synthetic aperture radar(SAR),sensors and surveillance systems(camera)and sonar.It also has an extra fitment of external payload near the belly of the fuselage for additional carriage.A hybrid turbine-electric propulsion system with the capacity to reach a maximum speed of 118k and a remnant of 120 hours airborne.
7. MQ-1C Gray Eagle
The MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system(UAS)was developed by the US Army Aviation/designed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems(GA-ASI)as part of their modernization plan.MQ-1C Gray Eagle is capable of carrying four Hellfire missiles and equipped for reconnaissance,surveillance,and target acquisition(RSTA)requirements.
The drone has a total payload of 488kg,take-off weight of 1,633kg,maximum speed of 29,000ft and 167k,25 hours endurance,external payload capacities are respectively 261kg and 227kg,EO/IR sensors,synthetic aperture radar,and communication relay sensors.
8. CAIG Wing Loong II
CAIG Wing Loong II unmanned aerial vehicle that is in service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force(PLAAF).it was designed and developed by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China(AVIC)and is regarded as the advanced version.It has the folllowing features;aerial strike,surveillance and reconnaissance.It has a maximum external payload of 480kg,12 laser-guided bombs,FT-9/50 bombs or missiles carriage,GB3 250kg laser-guided bombs and TL-10 missiles.The UAV has 32 hours medium-altitude long-endurance and cruise at a maximum speed of 199k with a maximum take-off weight of 4,200kg as well as 32,480ft service ceiling.
9. MQ-5B Hunter
MQ-5C e-Hunter is a bigger version of the MQ-5B.MQ-5B Hunter designed and developed Northrop Grumman and can carry external weapons such as Northrop Grumman Viper Strike laser-guided munition.The MQ-5B Hunter multi-mission unmanned aircraft has been operational with the US Armed Forces for the last two decades.It has been tested and meet all the standards set by the US Department of Defense.n it can carry a total payload of 226.8kg,multiple sensors such as electro-optical(EO)/infrared(IR)and communication systems.It is powered by a heavy fuel engine with a maximum take-off weight of 884.50kg and a maximum service ceiling of 18,000ft,a maximum speed of 120k and 21 hours endurance.It has can stay airborne for 30 hours.
10. TAI Anka
TAI Anka is a Turkish Air Force since 2017 and armed with Rokestan smart micro munition(MAM-L),air-launched missile launcher,and laser-guided CIRIT.It was developed and designed by Turkish Aerospace Industries(TAI)to meet the function target recognition,surveillance,reconnaissance,and detection needs of the Turkish Armed Forces.The drone has a total payload carrying capacity of 200kg,an identification friend or foe(IFF)system,laser designator,laser finder,weapon payloads(Rokestan smart micro munition(MAM-L),laser-guided CIRIT 2.75in rocket and air-launched missile launcher.
The TAI Anka combat drone is powered by a 150hp turboprop PD170 engine which was a development of the Turkish Engine Industries(TEI).It has take-off weight of 1,600kg,maximum altitude of 30,000ft,and 24 hours endurance.
