Hydra Technologies is a private aerospace concern based out of Mexico with a primary focus set on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The lineup of products currently includes the S45 "BAALAM", a tactical-level, fixed-wing drone as a modern over-battlefield solution. Its versatility is such that it can serve civilian and industry market circles as well, broadening the market appeal of the aircraft considerably.
The aircraft is given a conventional straight-winged, twin-boom form. All pertinent operational components are set in the centralized fuselage nacelle. Wings are blended to the fuselage at the roots and tail booms extend from the trailing edges of the members to terminate at vertical fins. The fins are joined at their top edges by a shared horizontal plane which notably extend out over the rudders. In the overall arrangement of the S45, a pair of engines drive two-bladed propeller units in a push-pull fashion, maximizing output power over the streamlined design. Optics are held under the aircraft in an under-fuselage "blister" turret and the tricycle undercarriage is wheeled and fixed.
The drone is capable of real-time video and data transmission to mobile and fixed terminals on the ground, making it an ideal Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) solution. Beyond its military value, the aircraft can be used in structural engineering reviews, border / maritime enforcement, environmental assessment, Search and Rescue (SAR), and similar sortie types.
Endurance of the S45 is listed at 12 hours with an operational range out to 120 kilometers and an operational ceiling up to 17,000 feet.
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July 2022 - An S45 drone was showcased at Farnborough 2022 with a smaller tactical UAV under its belly, implying a UAV-launching capability is available or currently being developed.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Special-Mission: Search & Rescue (SAR)
Ability to locate and extract personnel from areas of potential harm or peril (i.e. downed airmen in the sea).
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
✓Special Forces
Serving Special Forces / Special Operations elements and missions.
✓Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.
MULTI-ENGINE
Incorporates two or more engines, enhancing survivability and / or performance.
PUSHER-PROP
Design incorporates rear-facing pusher-prop arrangement, a contrast to the more conventional puller-prop layout.
RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.
HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.
EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE
Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.
MARITIME OPERATION
Ability to operate over ocean in addition to surviving the special rigors of the maritime environment.
UNMANNED OPERATION
Design features ability to fly sans pilot, actions controlled onboard through programming and / or ground-based operator.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.
monoplane / mid-mounted / straight
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.
Straight
The planform involves use of basic, straight mainplane members.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the Hydra S45 BALAAM production variant)
Installed:
2 x Engines driving a pair of two-bladed propeller units at the front and rear of the fuselage in a push-pull arrangement.
Ceiling
16,995 ft (5,180 m | 3 mi)
Range
75 mi (120 km | 222 nm)
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Hydra S45 BALAAM production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
None. Mission equipment limited to ISR role.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings:
S45 "BALAAM" - Base Series Designation; tactical-level offering.
S50 "KUKULKAN" - Evolved S45 with enhanced capabilities; tactical-level.
S55 "ARES" - Medium-Altitude, Long-Endurance (MALE) evolution of the S50 model.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
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Image from official Hydra Technologies marketing materials.
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