Tel Aviv: The evolving need to operate UAVs for military missions while using civil airspaces results in a new effort to certify different types of UAVs so that this capability is built in. Some of the Israeli UAV manufacturers are focusing on an effort to adapt their new systems to this set of mixed flying regulations.
Israeli company Attis Aviation is developing such a VTOL UAV to be ready for the evolving market.
According to Mark Koltun, CEO of Attis Aviation, by understanding market needs, the company has begun the self-development of the ROC system – a VTOL UAV system with a maximum take-off weight of 150 kg, intended for flight in both civilian and military airspace. The prototype of the ROC is expected to fly by the end of the year.
According to Koltun, the UAV can carry a useful payload of up to 40 kg (sensors or logistic payload) and with endurance of over 20 hours. The UAV has a suspension point in the nose for electro-optical payloads and a large payload bay in the body (1.2 metres in length), where a useful load of up to 40 kg can be installed.
Koltun revealed that the system includes a hybrid propulsion system, consisting of electric motors and a heavy fuel engine. “The ROC system is designed to civil aviation standards, including the integration of redundancy in critical flight systems like avionics and, communications,” he added.
According to the Israeli company’s CEO, the system enables operational versatility, including operation in GPS-denied environments, maritime environments, urban environments, and more.
“We are developing the ROC according to the Israeli civil aviation authority (CAA) and receiving their certification to operate safely in civil air spaces, will make it easier for foreign customers to get the local certification,” Mark Koltun stated.
Koltun added that the civil aviation certifications will allow using the advanced VTOL for emergency missions like fires and immediately after for military missions with no need for even the slightest change on the operation mode.
“The system is designed to be operated by a single pilot, and full deployment of the system can be achieved by a minimal team of two people within 30 minutes from arrival at the take-off point to the aircraft being airborne. The company has developed an innovative tactical deployment concept that allows the aircraft to take off from within the box on the trailer, where the box becomes the take-off surface,” said Koltun.
The European Defence Agency (EDA) has dealt with this evolving requirement and submitted initial recommendations. “Based on the data gathered during the test flights and the safety analysis done in the initial Accommodation Study, a final validation report with a set of recommendations was produced and sent to Member States.”
Brig General (Res.) Miki Bar, former commander of an Israeli air force base, said that the civil certification of VTOL and fixed wing UAVs is a must. “Armed forces understand the need to overate these platforms in war while also flying in civil airspaces and take the right steps to be ready,” he said.
Tal Inbar, a senior Israeli military analyst said that the issue has now gained a higher priority and that civil aviation authorities will have to work harder and closer to allow military unmanned air systems to use civil air spaces in the highest level of safety.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
