Thermal imaging reconnaissance drone UAV400T
UAV400T in flight configuration
The need to create and develop light unmanned aerial vehicles is obvious, and the necessary measures are being taken in this direction. Recently, the Russian industry has developed, brought to production and began to supply the troops with a new lightweight UAV400T. It is equipped with a domestically produced thermal imager and is designed for reconnaissance at any time of the day.
Latest Development
The UAV400T project was developed by the Astron optical-mechanical design bureau (Lytkarino). The main field of activity of this enterprise is thermal imaging and other optical systems. The accumulated experience and existing developments in this area were used to create a promising drone.
Reportedly, the UAV400T project was created recently, and its appearance is associated with the Special Operation in Ukraine. The first weeks of the operation showed the need for the creation and production of domestic thermal imagers suitable for use on reconnaissance UAVs. The Astron bureau offered its developments in this area, and also created an air platform for carrying optics.
During the recent Army-2022 forum, Astron for the first time showed a new drone and disclosed information about it. In addition, they talked about the latest successes in production and possible developments in the future.
It is reported that the UAV400T product has already gone into production. The first devices have already been delivered to combat units involved in the Special Operation. With the help of the new drones, they conduct reconnaissance, identify enemy targets and carry out target designation. In particular, such equipment is used in the interests of artillery.
Astron managed to achieve high production rates. By the end of this year, the company plans to manufacture 1 aircraft of a new type. At the same time, production capacities allow the production of up to 5 thousand complexes annually. Whether the Ministry of Defense will order such a quantity of equipment is not reported.
Thus, the domestic enterprise, using the existing developments, was able to create and bring to a full-fledged series a new type of equipment needed by the troops in the shortest possible time. Serial UAV400T arrive in parts and help to solve combat missions. At the same time, they confirm the calculated characteristics and demonstrate advantages over commercial UAVs.
Flying thermal imager
The UAV400T product is a compact and lightweight quadcopter drone with an electric propulsion system. It uses a thermal imaging camera with a video signal transmitter to the operator's console as a payload. In this regard, the developer calls his device a “flying thermal imager”.
The UAV has a fairly simple design and does not fundamentally differ from other modern products. There is a plastic fuselage on which the bases of four propeller groups are hinged. For transportation, the latter are folded along the body. The battery and optical system are suspended under the fuselage. The length of such a device, excluding screws, does not exceed 400 mm, the width is less than 350 mm. Height including all devices - 114 mm. The take-off weight is only 1195 g.
Four electric motors with two-bladed propellers and an electronic control system allow horizontal speeds up to 10 m/s and vertical (on the rise) up to 3 m/s. The flight altitude reaches 3 km. The device is capable of flying for 40 minutes. (calm) or hang up to 50 min. The range is up to 6 km. It can be used in a wide range of air temperatures and with winds up to 7 m/s.
The UAV400T is equipped with a remote control system and also has satellite navigation facilities. In-flight control is carried out by radio from the operator's console. There are probably standalone modes of operation. Declared the use of secure radio communication channels. The enemy does not have the ability to take control or determine the starting point.
The key element of the complex is a thermal imaging camera on a gyro-stabilized suspension. The camera has an uncooled matrix with a resolution of 384x288 and a field of view of 40° x 30°. Frame rate - 30 fps. Such a camera allows you to monitor day and night, as well as recognize various objects. A car-type target is recognized at distances up to 800 m. A person can be distinguished from 350 m during the day or from 400 m at night.
There are no other optical means. A television channel and a laser rangefinder-target designator are not provided. This limited the ability to observe, but allowed to reduce the mass of the payload.
With obvious benefits
The new UAV400T reconnaissance drone is of interest for a number of reasons. It has a fairly high performance and has several important features. The high potential of a technical and other nature is already confirmed by deliveries to the army.
First of all, the UAV400T product is interesting for its origin. The drone as a whole was developed in our country, and its key components are produced by domestic enterprises. Due to this, dependence on imports has been sharply reduced, and in a critical part. In addition, it was possible to get rid of potential risks.
Image from a thermal imager in different conditions
When creating the UAV400T, Astron used its experience in the field of optical systems and electronics. The use of ready-made developments made it possible to complete the development of the project and prepare production in just a few months. It is quite possible that, if there is an appropriate order, Astron can develop other UAVs with other equipment in the shortest possible time.
The production capabilities of the manufacturer are of great importance. The possibility of producing up to 5 thousand UAVs per year has been declared. Accordingly, in the shortest possible time, Astron can, at least partially, cover the needs of the troops in “flying thermal imagers”. Simultaneous purchases of UAV400T and other equipment will speed up the process of equipping the troops.
The used quadrocopter platform as a whole shows sufficient flight characteristics, and in terms of its capabilities it does not differ from similar developments. At the same time, its own control system was used, designed to work in difficult conditions. Measures have been taken to protect radio channels, which distinguishes the UAV400T from civilian equipment.
The small-sized thermal imager from Astron has acceptable characteristics. With small dimensions and weight, it allows you to conduct surveillance, as well as confidently recognize targets at considerable distances. As reported, such optics correspond to the tasks of reconnaissance of various targets, and also cope with the adjustment of fire.
However, UAV optical means must be developed. In the future, the UAV400T or its successor should receive a camera with an increased resolution and a greater observation / recognition range. The growth of these parameters will increase the overall range of the complex and increase its practical efficiency. As practice has shown, if there is interest from the army and a real order from the Ministry of Defense, the development of a UAV with such equipment can take a minimum of time.
Development direction
Thus, our defense industry is once again demonstrating its ability to create new equipment with the required characteristics, incl. with a minimum investment of time. Previously accumulated experience and components created in the recent past contribute to the rapid solution of the tasks set.
A new example of this was the "flying thermal imager" UAV400T. It was created in just a few months, and the first serial products of this type are already participating in the Special Operation to Protect Donbass. In the coming months, new large batches of this equipment are expected to appear. It will help identify and destroy enemy targets, as well as provide new experience that will form the basis of future projects.
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