The Peregrine M22 UAV is seen above displayed at the Aero India 2023 show. (Janes/Priyanka Chimakurthi)
Chennai-based UCAL Technologies debuted models of its unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Peregrine M22 and Condor M22, during the Aero India 2023 show held in Bangalore from 13 to 17 February.
Dinesh Manoharan, chief technical officer (CTO) of UCAL Technologies, told Janes that the development of the two platforms started in early 2022. The systems are intended for various defence and civilian applications including day/night reconnaissance, disaster monitoring, coastguard support, battlefield monitoring, battlefield damage/casualty assessment, payload dropping, as well as logistics and humanitarian aid operations.
Manoharan said that both UAVs, which the company describes as “fully functional working models”, comprise 80% indigenous components, with the structure and arms both built from lightweight carbon fibre manufactured in Chennai. The batteries and motors are imported.
The Peregrine M22 is a modular hexacopter UAV that UCAL Technologies said can transmit real-time encrypted data to ground control and remote viewing stations for situational awareness. It features a dome-shaped central module that supports payload sensor assembly, six rotor arms, and propellers made up of carbon fibre, with a V-shaped landing arrangement. The ground control station is a portable, multi-purpose handheld radio, with an on-screen visual display for mission planning, payload control, and images. The UAV has a maximum endurance of 60 minutes, a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 9 kg, and a maximum payload-carrying capacity of 3 kg.
The electro-optic/infrared sensors onboard the Peregrine M22 UAV are swappable, enabling customisation as per user requirement. In addition, the UAV features a special frame configuration that enables quick deployment and shorter turnaround time to support covert surveillance and high payload stability.
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