Deviation Actions
Description
Powerplant: 1 × turbocharged four-cylinder engine, 128 hp
Maximum speed: 226 km/h
Range: 350 km
Service ceiling: 10,200 m
The Type 09 is a long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle built by Yongsheng Heavy Machinery Industries. First tested in late 2007 and commissioned in early 2009, the drone was designed as a surveillance and aerial reconnaissance platform, although it can also perform target acquisition and artillery adjustment duties.
Capable of operating up to 52 hours of continuous flight, the Type 09 navigates using an internal satellite navigation device, and either a pre-programmed flight profile, which the system is fully autonomous from takeoff to landing, manual override from a ground control station, or a combination of both. It can autonomously return to base and land in case of lost communication with the ground station. The drone uses full automatic launch and recovery, and has all-weather capabilities.
The Type 09 is equipped with a three-sensor sphere stabilized by gyroscope, mounted under the forward part of the fuselage. It contains optronic and infrared sensors, a laser designator that doubles as a rangefinder, and a high-resolution, fixed echo suppressing synthetic aperture radar. The radar can be used to observe vehicle movement on the surface under any meteorological condition. The antenna is mounted on the top of the body near the front.
The payload sensors communicate with the ground control station in real time, using either direct line of sight data link, or via an airborne/satellite relay. Like the navigation system, the payload can also be used in either a fully pre-programmed autonomous mode, or manual real-time remote operation, or a combination of both.
The drone features a flapped high wing with anti-icing system, has a twin boom tail with two vertical surfaces, and is propelled by a rear-mounted turbo-charged four-cylinder engine, driving a pusher propeller.
Photo courtesy of US Army. I do NOT own this image.