DELAER RX-3
| DELAER RX-3 | |
|---|---|
| |
| DELAER RX-3 artistic representation | |
| Role | Surveillance and Reconnaissance |
| National origin |  Greece
|
| Manufacturer | Carbon Fiber Technologies (CFT) |
| Designer | Aristotle University of Thessaloniki |
| First flight | 2021 |
| Status | Prototypes only |
| Produced | 2021 |
| Number built | 2 (prototypes) |
| Developed from | HCUAV RX-1 |
| Variants | RX-3Plus |
| Developed into | MPU RX-4[1]
LOTUS |
TheDELAER RX-3(fromEnglish:delivery and aerial) is a tacticalunmanned aerial vehicle(UAV) currently under development by a consortium consisting of greek private companies and theAristotle University of Thessaloniki.It is capable of performing border surveillance missions and aerial delivery of lifesaving supplies to islands and mainland territories via its internal cargo bay.[2]A possible future use for military operations is being considered.
Development
[edit]The development on the DELAER RX-3 started in 2018 and involved a consortium consisting of three research institutes of theAristotle University of Thessalonikiof which the Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery acts as the project coordinator and two private companies,Intracom Defense Electronics (IDE)and Carbon Fiber Technologies (CFT). The project is co-financed by the European Union and Greek national funds.[3]
In September 2018 at the 83rdThessaloniki International Fair,the first true to size mockup of the DELAER RX-3 was presented to the public.[4][5]During the fair the DEALER RX-3 caught the attention of military officials, paving the way for a national military UAV program.[6][7]
In November 2020 during a televised interview on the Greek television broadcasterERTwith the coordinator of the DELAER RX-3 project prof. Dr. Kyros Yakinthos, it was announced that the construction of the RX-3 is scheduled to be completed by March 2021.[8]
National defense
[edit]In June 2020Intracom Defense Electronics(IDE) announced that its proposal for a tactical UAV system has been approved to be funded through theEuropean Defense Industrial Development Program(EDIDP).[9]In November of the same year IDE signed a €9.7 million grant agreement with theEuropean Commissionfor the funding of the now named LOTUS(Low Observable Tactical Unmanned System) project.[10]
IDE notes, that the LOTUS will utilize knowledge acquired through the development of both theHCUAV RX-1and the DELAER RX-3. Furthermore, the consisting tripartite consortium will be expanded with additional companies and universities fromGreeceand European companies fromCyprus,Spainand theNetherlands.
Design
[edit]The DELAER RX-3 is a novel unmanned aerial platform, emerging from theHCUAV RX-1,that introduced an improved design and more advancedfuselagecharacteristics. The aim was to improve aerodynamics, increase thepayload,range, and the operational profile of the UAV in comparison to the previous generation. It was built with the extensive use of composite materials and afixed wingdesign that incorporates aBlended Wing Body(BWB) architecture. Furthermore, it features an insulated payload-bay for the aerial delivery of supplies, advanced electronics and a one-man portableground control station(GCS) that uses a double encrypteddata-linkto communicate and control the UAV.
The aerial vehicle was designed for complete autonomous flight and interconnection with the Greek civic protection network, since its initial and primary mission is provision of humanitarian aid and ground patrol of isolated forest, mountainous and island regions of Greece.[11]
Specifications
[edit]Data from LFMT, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Ptisi Magazine.[12][13]
General Specifications
[edit]- Crew:0 onboard, 1 in ground station
- Length:4.15 metres (13.6 ft)
- Wingspan:7.2 metres (24 ft)
- MTOW:190 kilograms (420 lb)
- Payload:50 kilograms (110 lb)
- Powerplant:1x 54 hp engine
Performance
[edit]- Maximum Speed:250 kilometres per hour (130 kn)
- Cruise Speed:180 kilometres per hour (97 kn)
- Range:130 kilometres (70 nmi)
- Endurance:10 hours
- Take-off runway:<140 metres (460 ft)
Avionics
[edit]- Real-time 720p image quality cameras
- Autonomous flight planner
- Interconnection with the Hellenic Rescue Team Network (HRTN)
- SDR data-link
- Payload insulation
- Aerial-drop payload delivery system
- Data collection and management system
References
[edit]- ^"LFMT - Multirole Portable UAS RX-4".Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^"LFMT - DELAER RX-3".Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^"LFMT - DELAER RX-3".Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^"Με έξι καινοτόμα και βραβευμένα εκθέματα συμμετέχει το ΑΠΘ στην 83η ΔΕΘ".Aristotle University of Thessaloniki(in Greek).Retrieved23 February2021.
- ^"Video of the unveiling ceremony of the mockup".Twitter(in Greek).Retrieved29 January2021.
- ^"GDDIA participation in 83rd TIF".GDDIA.Archived fromthe originalon 3 February 2021.Retrieved29 January2021.
- ^"Greece to start production of own UAVs, to acquire 5 from US, Israel".Keep Talking Greece.13 December 2019.Retrieved23 February2021.
- ^"Εταιρεία στο Κιλκίς κατασκευάζει drone".YouTube(in Greek). November 11, 2020.Retrieved29 January2021.
- ^"IDE leader in European Defense programs".Intracom Defense Electronics.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^"LOTUS: Next Generation Tactical UAV from INTRACOM DEFENSE for ISR missions".Intracom Defense Electronics.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^"LFMT - DELAER RX-3".Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^"LFMT - DELAER RX-3".Laboratory of Fluid Mechanics and Turbomachinery.Retrieved28 January2021.
- ^"DELAER RX-3: Όλα όσα πρέπει να ξέρετε για το UAS του ΑΠΘ".ptisidiastima(in Greek). 14 September 2018.Retrieved29 January2021.