SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant step towards advancing the capabilities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in India, the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) proudly unveiled its latest creation, the QPlane – an all-electric hybrid UAV. The momentous occasion took place during the Curtain Raiser Event of One Week One Lab on August 2, 2023, in the presence of Dr V. K. Saraswat, Hon’ble Member of NITI Aayog.
CSIR-NAL’s QPlane has been engineered with cutting-edge technology, allowing it to serve a multitude of purposes, including last-mile delivery and surveillance. The UAV’s impressive features and performance capabilities have caught the attention of the scientific community, making it a significant development in the field of UAV technology.
Unleashing the QPlane’s Potential: Features and Capabilities
Endurance: The QPlane boasts an impressive endurance of 120 minutes, which is a result of its innovative design, enabling it to hover for 10 minutes and maintain a fixed-wing flight for 110 minutes.
Cruise Speed: The UAV’s cruising speed reaches 25 meters per second, enabling it to cover long distances efficiently.
Max. Crosswind: With a robust capability to handle crosswinds up to 10 meters per second, the QPlane can operate effectively even under challenging weather conditions.
Stall Speed: The UAV’s stall speed is an impressive 17 meters per second, which can be further reduced to 14 meters per second with a 45-degree flap.
Range: The QPlane offers a considerable range of 30 kilometres, making it suitable for various applications, from surveillance to delivery missions.
Ceiling Altitude: The UAV can reach an impressive ceiling altitude of 5000 meters above sea level (ASL), expanding its operational capabilities for various scenarios.
Composite Airframe: The QPlane features a strong and lightweight composite airframe, enhancing its structural integrity and overall performance.
Dimensions: With a wingspan of 4 meters, length of 2.3 meters, and height of 1 meter, the UAV strikes an ideal balance between portability and functionality.
Operation: The QPlane is designed for fully autonomous operation, from takeoff to landing, streamlining its deployment and reducing human intervention.
Flight Mode: The UAV operates using a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) mode for vertical manoeuvring and switches to Fixed-Wing Cruise mode for long-range flight.
Payload Capacity: With a Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW) of 35 kilograms and a maximum payload capacity of 5 kilograms, the QPlane can carry various payloads for diverse applications.
Electric Power Source: The QPlane is powered by an all-electric propulsion system, making it environmentally friendly and cost-efficient.
Gimballed Camera: The UAV comes equipped with a gimballed camera that combines Electro-Optical (EO) and Infrared (IR) technologies, enabling comprehensive surveillance and data collection capabilities.
Last Mile Delivery Payload: Thanks to its versatile design, the QPlane is also suitable for last-mile delivery operations, providing a futuristic solution for efficient and timely deliveries.
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