Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) UAV [ 2013 ]
The ADCOM Systems United 40 UAV is being developed for long endurance reconnaissance and surveillance sorties with possible arming capabilities in the future.
Entering the field of military-minded drone aircraft is the Persian Gulf nation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with its rather ambitious "United 40" Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) by ADCOM Systems. The United 40 is currently envisioned as an intelligence-gathering, reconnaissance and communications relay platform, capable of supporting various operations including those of special forces, regular army and humanitarian aid responses. It is conceivable that the system may also evolve along a more direct combat platform line, able to carry munitions into combat and self-designate its targets - currently, four presented underwing hardpoints will serve to carry mission pods (100kg each station). The total payload capability (including internal) is to be 2,200lb.
Perhaps the most unique physical quality of the United 40 is its serpentine-like fuselage which bends down aft of the forward section to create a noticeable valley. The empennage is then slightly elevated to complete the shape, mounting a single vertical tail fin without any tailplanes present. A three-bladed propeller blade is noted at the extreme rear of the design, arranged in a "pusher" configuration. Intakes are also found at either side of the extreme fuselage aft. The main wing units of the United 40 are also of particular note for there are two individual mainplanes - one mounted forward and the other mounted aft. The forward pair sits higher than the aft pair when views in profile and all are of a low-aspect ratio design similar to that of gliders. Dimensionally, the United 40 is given a length of 11 meters, a wingspan of 20 meters and a height of 4.4 meters. The undercarriage is a retractable tricycle arrangement which limits operation of the United 40 to prepared runaways. The entire vehicle showcases an empty weight of 1,150lb with a Maximum Take-Off Weight of 3,300lb.
As it stands, the United 40 is to be powered by a twin engine arrangement with its primary engine installation being a conventional unit outputting at 115 horsepower. This is to be coupled with an electric system developing up to 80 horsepower. All told, the United 40 is expected to reach speeds between 75 and 200 kilometers per hour - this range based on available marketing material from ADCOM Systems. Additionally, its service ceiling is expected to reach around 7,000 meters (23,000 feet) while mission endurance times will reach some 120 hours of constant operation.
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Specifications
ADCOM Systems, Incorporated - UAE Manufacturer(s)
Algeria; Egypt; Russia; United Arab Emirates Operators
Possible - Aircraft mock-up has been seen with various stores fitted across four primary hardpoints. Mission equipment typically centered around combat/damage assessment, intelligence gathering, reconnaissance, surveillance and communications relay. Payload of up to 1,000kg/2,200lb.
4 Hardpoints
X
X
X
X
Hardpoints Key:
Centerline
Wingroot(L)
Wingroot(R)
Wing
Wingtip
Internal
Not Used
"United 40" / "Yabhon Smart Eye 2" - Base Series Designation.
"Algeria 54" - Algerian local designation and production; operations began in 2019.
Yabhon NSR - Variant.
Images
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Image courtesy of ADCOM Systems marketing material; All Rights Reserved.
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Image courtesy of ADCOM Systems marketing material; All Rights Reserved.
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