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UAV which is expected to be completed by 2019. The Camar is constructed from reinforced composites is 2.5m long with a 4m span. Deftech states that the Camar will be capable of flying for up to six hours with a control radius of approximately 80km. MYANMAR The Myanmar Air Force (Tatmadaw Lay) is believed to be operating a squadron of Chinese-manufactured UAVs based at Meiktila Air Base in north-central Myanmar. Reports of UAVs being tested by the Tatmadaw in Rakhine State near the Bangladesh-Myanmar border surfaced in early 2015 before the outbreak of the Kokang conflict.
Malaysia has acquired the ship-launched Fulmar UAV for maritime enforcement missions.
designed to support ISR roles and can carry an 8kg payload. The MMEA-specific model will carry one high-resolution video camera with automatic target tracking capabilities. The MMEA’s Fulmar UAV is launched via a catapult launcher, situated just behind the ships’ SMASH 30mm naval gun system. The UAV is recovered using an impact-absorbing net deployed on the deck space immediately behind the bridge. ■ Under Development/Consideration/Trials Unmanned Systems Technology (UST) ALUDRA Mk2: The ALUDRA Mk2 is intended to be acquired by the MAF, although this requirement appears to have lapsed with the armed forces still operating the Mk1. Deftech ALUDRA Camar: Deftech and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) are jointly developing a 40kg-class surveillance
■ Fielded Capabilities China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) Cai Hong/Rainbow (CH)-3: CASC’s CH-3 UAV, developed by its China Academy of Aerospace Aerodynamics (CAAA) subsidiary, features a cranked wing design a span of 8m as well as forward canards. The UAV has a maximum take-off weight of around 650kg. It is powered by a rear-mounted piston engine driving a three-bladed pusher propeller and can carry a payload of up to 180kg. The company has stated that it can fly for up to 12 hours with a control radius of 200km via line-of-sight (LOS) datalinks. Between 10-12 CH-3 UAVs are believed to have been acquired by Myanmar. NEW ZEALAND The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has expressed its desire
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