Pakistan's Air Weapons Complex (AWC) says that its new low-cost unmanned air vehicle (UAV) is aimed at 'poor' nations.
Officials give no indication as to how inexpensive the UAV is to purchase. The Mark 2 vehicle's show debut was the first time it had been seen outside Pakistan. An earlier version of the battlefield surveillance system entered service with Pakistan's military about a year ago.
The high wing, twin boom, pusher-puller aircraft has a range exceeding 50km (27nm), an improvement of at least 20km over its predecessor, the Mark 1, and also can stay airborne for 3h, 1h longer than the original vehicle. The Mark 2's payload capacity at 34kg (75lb) is also more than double the Mark 1's. The latest system is being offered for tactical day/night surveillance as well as for coastal surveillance or target detection and identification. Both models can carry payloads of an 8mm charge-coupled display colour camera with a 120mm motorised zoom and optional payload of a forward looking infrared system, plus a global positioning antenna. The Mark 2 is 9ft (2.7m) long with a wingspan of 3.66m.
The Mark 2 is undergoing final trials, but AWC was reluctant to specify how many platforms are in use. As AWC moves towards completion of the Mark 2, design and development of the next generation, the Mark 3, is under way. That vehicle could make its debut early next year.
Source: Flight International
