Hornet drone helicopter invisible to radar, claims maker
Serbian firm Engine Development and Production (EDePro) unveiled a prototype of an unmanned drone helicopter at the International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi on Monday. The Hornet is designed for use in military and civilian operations, and has applications that include aerial fire support and radiation detection. A front-mounted, electro-optical infrared camera can be used for reconnaissance, while extra options include radar guidance and jamming systems, fibre-optic guided missiles and a 12.7 mm machine gun. EDePro will begin testing the helicopter's transmission system and gearbox in coming months, with hovering tests due in September and October.

The future of warfare could see soldiers removed from the front lines of battle and replaced by unmanned drones.

Now, the development of an unmanned helicopter that will be invisible to radar could be a step towards achieving this aim.

The X-01 Hornet drone will be fully customisable, supporting a range of military and civilian applications, from aerial fire support to detecting dangerous levels of radiation.

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The X-01 Hornet drone will be fully customisable, supporting a range of military and civilian applications, from aerial fire support to detecting dangerous levels of radiation

And its front mounted electro-optical infrared camera, while useful for reconnaissance, could even see it used in filming Hollywood blockbusters, according to its creators.

The prototype X-01 Hornet was unveiled at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) arms show in Abu Dhabi, held on Monday.

Its creators, Serbian firm Engine Development and Production (EDePro), say it is designed to carry a variety of equipment, for use in military campaigns and civilian operations.

Options include radar guidance and jamming systems, surveillance apparatus and even weaponry - including four fibre optic guided missiles and a 12.7 mm machine gun.

Serbian arms manufacturer Engine Development and Production unveiled its prototype unmanned helicopter, that will be invisible to radar, at the International Defence Exhibition in Abu Dhabi

Options include radar guidance and jamming systems, surveillance apparatus and even weaponry - including four fibre optic guided missiles and a 12.7 mm machine gun

HORNET IN NUMBERS Carbon fibre, lightweight steel and aluminium measuring is 6.75 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 2.65 metres high. Phoenix-250 DF turboshaft engine producing 180 kW of power will drive a 7.6 metre diameter, twin-bladed rotor. Top speed of 112 miles per hour (180 km/h) and cruising and 100 miles per hour (160 km/h). Flight duration of up to four hours and be able to fly as high as 13,000 ft. Will weigh 400 kg when empty, in addition to carrying further equipment up to 350 kg. Chin-mounted gimbal for an electro-optical/infrared system. Standard fuel load will be around 200 litres. Advertisement !- - ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/ru/sciencetech/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 - ->

The development of the aircraft began back in 2012, according to reports in trade publication Jane's 360.

The Hornet, which is 6.75 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 2.65 metres high, will be constructed from carbon fibre, lightweight steel and aluminium.

A Phoenix-250 DF turboshaft engine producing 180 kW of power will drive a 7.6 metre diameter, twin-bladed rotor.

Its creator Dr Predrag Matejic told Jane's the Hornet will have a top speed of 112 miles per hour (180 km/h) and cruising and 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).

It should have a flight duration of up to four hours and be able to fly as high as 13,000 ft.

The aircraft will weigh 400 kg when empty, in addition to carry further equipment up to 350 kg.

The standard fuel load will be around 200 litres.

EDePro aim to begin testing on the vehicle in the coming months, with transmission system and gearbox testing planned for mid-2017, and hovering tests scheduled September and October.

About the project lead engineer Dr Predrag Matejic said: 'Every unmanned helicopter is unique in itself, because in the hovering phase every helicopter is unstable.

'It's easy to manage that instability when you have a pilot inside, because a pilot is able to counteract that instability.

'But in the case where you don't have a pilot, you need to have good automatic control systems.'

MILITARY USES Aerial fire support Surveillance Target acquisition Mine detection Electronic warfare Convoy support Advertisement !- - ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/ru/sciencetech/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_2 - ->

CIVILIAN USES Radiation detection Search and rescue Border protection Infrastructure inspection Communication relays Movie production Advertisement !- - ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/ru/sciencetech/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_3 - ->



