The VUA-SC-3G Scout UAV, which is in service with the People's Army of Vietnam, is seen here on display at VIDEX 2022. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)
The People's Army of Vietnam (PAV) has inducted a locally developed fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for scout and target acquisition missions across several units.
Speaking to Janes at the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition (VIDEX) 2022, which is taking place in Hanoi from 8 to 10 December, a representative from the service described the UAV as an equipment that was first developed by Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) for reconnaissance operations by border units.
The UAV is referred to by the PAV as the VUA-SC-3G and it began operations with the service in 2018. It has been developed by PAV, in collaboration with Viettel.
Besides reconnaissance operations, the PAV is presently conducting early trials of the system with formations such as the artillery services for target acquisition operations, the representative added.
The VUA-SC-3G has a wingspan of 3.2 m and a length of 2.2 m. It has a maximum take-off weight of 26 kg and a total payload capacity of 3.5 kg. The UAV features tricycle landing gears and it has been incorporated with a Viettel-developed automatic landing system.
Powered by a single internal combustion engine driving a rear propeller, the UAV can achieve a top speed of 120 km/h with a flying endurance of about three hours. It has a ceiling height of 3,000 m and an operational radius of about 50 km.
Examples of the UAV that are being deployed for reconnaissance missions carry day-and-night cameras, while units that are being trialled for target acquisition operations have been incorporated with a laser rangefinder.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...
