Abu Dhabi-based Adcom is constructing a 70h-plus-endurance medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned air vehicle, with first flights planned in five months. The MALE UAV, dubbed Yabhon Excellency, will have a 16m (52ft) wingspan and a payload capacity of up to 500kg (1,100lb). It will be powered by a 115hp (85kW) supercharged piston engine. Maximum take-off weight will be 1,300kg.
The wing design is based on a flexible, high-aspect ratio profile. Adcom chief designer Ali Aldhaheri says the wing and tail for the prototype have been built, and fuselage assembly will begin soon.
He says the UAV is wholly funded by the company, with design expertise drawn from the Yabhon series of medium tactical UAVs and target drones. Adcom recently unveiled its Yabhon-R tactical UAV, which has a published endurance of 30h, but, unlike Yabhon Excellency, is based on a canard/delta- wing configuration. Proposed payloads for the MALE UAV include infrared and electro-optical sensors, and synthetic-aperture radar. The communications suite will include a commercial Ku-band satellite link, with Adcom designing its own stabilised tracking mount.
Adcom has also revealed it will fly a prototype vertical take-off and landing UAV, currently designated Yabhon-VTOL, in three months. The coaxial-rotor UAV is expected to demonstrate endurance of 24h with a maximum take-off weight of 500kg. It will be powered by a Rotax 912ULS engine.
Pic credits: PETER LA FRANCHI
Source: Flight International
