MALE Drone Dragon-25 Mk3 (Tier II)

Description

MALE Drone Dragon-25 Mk3 (Tier II) – Medium Altitude (10000 feet – 3000 meters) / Long Endurance (12 to 13 hours of battery life), for an autonomy of 500Km of radius – 1000Km of total autonomy. Carrying 6,5 to 16 liters of fuel, payload up to 25Kg – for carrying a surveillance system, LiDAR, analysis & sampling or drop hook, for an overall weight of approximately 55Kg. Easy to transport (2 meter sections – in a 207x80x90cm box), launch from a compressed air catapult – usable on flat ground or from the back of a vehicle – take-off distance of 6 meters and landing of 10 meters . Train of 03 wheels that can be replaced by pads depending on the nature of the soil or the weather conditions.

Motorization via a 4-stroke, 120cc “PUSHER” engine (British made) – a set of oxygen sensors and EFI control ignition and fuel flow, for optimal use of the resource according to altitude and conditions flight conditions. The alternator is coupled with a PMU (power management unit) to distribute a 24, 12 & 05 volt supply and the boarding of almost all the subsystems on the market. Two elements (an ECU integrated into the on-board computer and a removable hard disk) allow the recording and the transmission and display in real time of a set of data on the ground station – fuel, temperature, speed, alternator performance – the rider is able to process optimal feedback from the Dragon Mk3.

Two watertight and secure compartments – one located in the nose (approximately 29,6L) and the second at CoG level (center of gravity – capacity approximately 18,1L) – maximum payload of 25Kg, for flexibility of maximum employment (analysis geophysical or meteorological, pollution, LiDAR survey, fauna counting, dropping of medical elements, etc.). Two day/night cameras – one for civil application: model CM62, gyro-stabilized, allowing the tracking of a moving object and its GPS reading, with CMOS daytime sensor in 1080p, x56 zoom & by a sensor LWIR (thermal camera) in 640×480 and the second for tracking and supporting enemy targets: model 140Z, gyro-stabilized, detection and tracking of moving targets, supplied with artillery tuning software and sound GPS/OINS, exceptional image quality (detection of a human at 2500 meters) – are offered to you during the standard configuration phase of the MK3.

Radio signal in 2.4Ghz for piloting up to 15Km, then link with the Iridium satellite constellation beyond the horizon (for control and command processing – compatible with the MAVLink communication protocol) – take-off and landing are processed autonomously . Comes standard with the autopilot system Piccolo Elite from Collins Aerospace and its integrated IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) module, the MK3 remains operational even if the GPS signal is jammed – the autopilot module takes into account the last known GPS position and the sum of the movements of the drone measured by the accelerometer and gyroscopes. A set of anti-jamming modules (level 2 – reduces the range of the jamming signal – or level 3 – sending counterfeit GPS signals – works in conjunction with anti-jamming modules 1 & 2) can be added depending on operational requirements and the combat environment. Similarly, an electronic warfare setup can be implemented – with a fleet of three drones & an EW module (CRFS 40-8 EW) – for geolocation and destruction order of enemy network broadcast points, with real-time spectrum analysis.

Works in C2 (Command & Control) – with its standard 2.4Ghz signal with a range of 15Km, which can be extended to 20Km with optional C2 frequencies (900 MHz) and up to 150Km in S-band (2,2- 2,5 GHz – coupled to a directed parabolic antenna). Beyond 150Km two options available: Iridium module – depending on the available satellite constellation, or civil 3G/4G coverage – depending on network availability. Each Dragon MK3 drone, delivered with its MANet radio module, can be used as a replay hub and thus extend the range of telemetry of a second drone (or a set of drones) – the transmission of images, GPS data and management of the drone this fact via an encrypted stream, for a flow rate of up to 15 Kbps – 50 frames per second, and an effective range of 50Km (up to 150Km with the use of a directional antenna – automatic tracking system OS-PT-100 – robust and suitable for degraded weather conditions). Allows optimal use up to 150Km without satellite connectivity.

Entirely portable ground control station, modular according to operational needs – control of all the payloads installed on the drone, management of the flight elements and of all the integrated sensors – various ports allow the connection of communication interfaces management, antennas or automatic pilot systems. High visibility screens, for outdoor use or in a vehicle, compact and lightweight carrying case (987x412x158mm).

Radius of 500Km – 1000Km of autonomy – payload up to 25Kg – maximum altitude of 10000 feet

Easy to deploy, autonomous management of take-off and landing, integrated autopilot module

Different GPS signal hardening or electronic warfare modules available – combat proven

Product data:

• Drone MALE Dragon 25 MK3 – 03 meters in length, 4,5 meters in wingspan, approximately 30Kg empty
• Operational range up to 500Km radius (1000Km round trip)
• 25Kg maximum payload for the integration of a set of modules
  • Two compartments of approximately 29,6L & 18,1L
• Average speed of 80Km/h
• Cruising altitude at 5000 feet and maximum of 10000 feet
• Real-time telemetry for:
  • flight data
  • Engine
  • Fuel level and range
  • GPS position displayed
• Communication (data & management) via module MANet - 2.4Ghz
  
  • Beyond the horizon line different possible transmission options:
    • Constellation of IRIDIUM satellites
    • 3G/4G network
    • S band – with directional antenna
    • All communication modules operate in C2
• Launch via a compressed air catapult, by a single operator
  • 06 meters to take off / 10 meters to land
  • Usable on any flat surface
• Day / Night use – usable at all levels of decision-making
• Several modes of use:
  • Recognition & monitoring
  • Wildlife counting and control
  • LiDAR
  • Data collection and analysis (pollution, CBRN agents, etc.)
  • Emergency drop (medicines, spare parts, etc.)
  • Electronic warfare – jamming and creating a network architecture
  • Transmission of coordinates of enemy positions and correction of artillery fire
  • Aerial photography & topographic survey
• 2 management modes:
  • Manual steering
  • Autopilot
    • Collins Aerospace Piccolo Elite
      
    • Autonomous take-off and landing
• Remains operational even without access to GPS coverage or in jammed areas
  • IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) module fitted as standard
    
  • Different signal hardening or electronic warfare modules available

Set consisting of:

• Dragon 25 MK3 UAV
  • Various optional modules
• Compressed air catapult
• Earth station
  • In a light suitcase
  • USB and pin connectivity for the autopilot module
  • Screens designed for optimal comfort, outdoors and indoors

The drone:

• Wingspan: 4,5 meters
• Length: 3 meters
• Weight: 30Kg (empty) – up to 55Kg (in operational phase)
  
• Fuel capacity: 6,5, 12 or 16 Liters
  • Consumption: 0,5 liters / hour
• Cruising speed: 80Km/h – 50 miles/h
• Operational radius: 500Km (1000Km round trip)
• Motorization: 120cc 4 stroke petrol
  • control via ECU module
    
• Helix : 28×14 – 3-blade carbon fiber
• Different modules available:
  • Gyro-stabilized day night cameras
    • CMOS & LWIR
      • supplied with artillery data processing software
  • RIEGL VUX-1LR LiDAR Scanner
  • Cesium vapor magnetometer (Geometrics G-823B)
  • Atmosphere measurement ACCESS 9400
  • MicroCASI 1920 (micro-VNIR hyperspectral imager for air and ground use)
  • Different electronic warfare modules
    • Spectrum analysis with a CRFS 40-8 EW
    • GPS signal hardening
  • Release hook
• Control system & communication with ground station
  • MANet wireless module - Works in C2 :
    • 2.4Ghz with a range of 15Km
    • 20Km range with optional C2 frequencies (900 MHz)
    • Up to 150Km in S band (2,2-2,5 GHz – coupled with a directed parabolic antenna)
      • OS-PT-100
    • Satellite link (Iridium constellation)
    • 3G / 4G link
• GPS module
  • Autopilot system Piccolo Elite from Collins Aerospace coupled with an IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) module

Launcher:

• Compact, deployable on any flat surface
• Works with a compressed air catapult
• Take-off & landing on wheels or on skids
  • Day Night
  • At all times
  • On all surfaces

Terrestrial station & antenna:

• • Dimensions: 987x412x158mm
    
  • Two high-resolution, low-visibility displays
  • Battery:
    • 12.V (allows the addition of an external battery if required)
  • USB, 12V and pin connectors for autopilot module
  • Management & telemetry of all flight elements and all mounted modules
  • Management software (mapping, GPS, management interface) :
    • Autopilot system Collins Aerospace Piccolo Elite