Made in Ukraine
Ukrainian Defense Review/April-June 2019
RAYBIRD-3 UAS BORN TO FLY Serhiy ZGHURETS, Defense Express
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kyeton, Kyiv, has completed the full cycle of trials of its Raybird-3 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that is already awaited by the Ukrainian military. In designing the Raybird-3 technology the Company focused on three key aspects: the airframe and its capabilities; the maximum possible degree of flight automation from takeoff to landing at the selected place; and reliability of operation and durability.
It might be hard to believe, but this small-factor UAS aircraft that weighs only 20 kg fully equipped can stay airborne for nearly 24 hours performing reconnaissance surveillance missions and feeding live video footage to it associated ground control station. In terms of air endurance, it has very few rivals of similar size and weight worldwide. Designed for professional use, the Raybird-3 UAV has an in-air endurance of ≥20 hours and can fly missions while transmitting live video streaming within a radius of ≥100 km. In terms of NATO UAS Classification by range, it could be classified as belonging to Class II (operational/theater, mission radius ≥50 km, LOS) or Class III (strategic/national, mission radius ≥200 km, BLOS).
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In its current configuration the Raybird-3 UAS consists of two UAV aircrafts with mission-specific payloads, a foldable catapult launcher, a ground control station (GCS), aerials and other support equipment, including spare parts and fixings, all transportable in four containers weighing collectively about 200 kg. The UAS can be transformed from unpack to operation by two personnel within 1520 minutes. The Raybird-3 aircraft doesn’t require any screwdrivers, wrenches or other similar tools to assemble for use or disassemble for storing. It is launched by a mechanical catapult of a proprietary design developed by Skyeton. Landing is assisted by parachute to slow down its descent and with a reusable, electrically pumped airbag to cushion the impact on the airframe. While approaching the landing site, the aircraft “turns on its back” to minimize the risk of mechanical damage to payload equipment. It is powered by carbureted engine developing 3 hp (which on several occasions proved excessive for some of the routine missions tested), while electronic fuel injected engine is optional. Max operational ceiling is 3,000 m. Onboard starter/generator provides electric power to the mission and payload equipment and enables remote engine on/off control while in flight. Critical systems such as flight control
RAYBIRD-3 UAV Aircraft. Technical Specifications Range of Radio Silence flight, km 2,500 Pre-programmed flight 1,000 mission radius, km Mission radius, with live video up to 140 streaming and telemetry data transmission, km Available Counter-ECM capability Max/cruising/min 160/120/65 air speed, km/h Max service altitude/*with 3,000/4500* electronic fuel injected engine, m Cruise altitude, m 1,000-2,000 Wing span/length/height, mm 2,985/1,830/320 Max takeoff mass, kg 21 Empty weight, kg 11 Payload mass ≤ 7 kg, Gyro-stabilized, multi-sensor OCTOPUS Epsilon 140Z gimbal Epsilon 140Z gimbal, which itegrates EO/IR sensors and laser designator-rangefinder, is capable of automatically tracking up to five objects, moving or static, simultaneously.
surfaces and servos are duplicated to improve reliability and safety of operation. Since the flight is highly automated from takeoff through flight to touchdown, the human operator’s duties are mainly limited to dealing with payload equipment. Modular architecture allows for payloads of up to 7 kg – ranging from a snapshot camera, gyro-stabilized camera, laser rangefinder or synthesized aperture