MQ-9 UAV demonstrates enhanced automatic takeoff and landing capabilities

The MQ-9 Reaper Unmanned Reconnaissance Aircraft (Reaper) is a new type of unmanned combat aircraft developed by the United States. The aircraft can perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. The U.S. Air Force formed the "Reaper" drone attack squadron in March 2007, and also established a special "Reaper" drone working group to begin research on tactics, training crew members, and conducting actual combat exercises.

As part of the U.S. Air Force’s ongoing MQ-9A reaper drone modernization contract, (GA-ASI) demonstrated three expanded automatic take-off and landing capability (ATLC) enhancements that are the operations of the MQ-9A Flexibility has brought great improvements. The first enhancement allows the MQ-9A to land on a backup or "diversion" airport without a ground control station (GCS), and it can land only under the control of satellite communications (SATCOM). The second enhancement extends the crosswind limitation of the MQ-9A. The third increases the maximum landing weight for normal and emergency landings.

VTOL fixed-wing for surveillance and reconnaissance

FLY-380 VTOL

Body length: 2.5m
Wingspan: 3.8m
Maximum takeoff weight: 50kg
Maximum payload: 15kg
Life time: 2h@15kg payload, 4h@10kg payload
Flying radius: 200-400km (depending on the amount of oil)
Maximum control distance: Remote control (manual control): 1km
Ground station control (depending on the distance of the digital transmission): 30km standard
Maximum speed: 130km/h
Cruising speed: 100-120km/h
Maximum oil load: 12L
Lift limit: 4000m
Maximum wind resistance: 12m/s (6 wind)
Use environment: -10 °C +45 °C; anti-light rain
Climb/lower power battery: 4*14000mAh-6S lithium battery
Take-off and landing mode: vertical takeoff and landing
Shipping size: 1.6*0.7*0.6m (length * width * height)