(Al Riyadh Photo)
Saudi Arabia has unveiled the first locally-built strategic unmanned and armed drone, according to Al Riyadh newspaper.
The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) raised the curtain on “Saqr 1”, a lightweight drone built from carbon fibre and fibreglass.
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), commonly known as a drone, is capable staying aloft for 24 hours and flying at medium altitude which may reach 20,000 feet.
The hi-tech drone is capable of carrying laser-guided missiles and bombs, with a precision strike under 1.5 metres.
It is equipped with the Ka band active Phased Array Antenna system for satellite communication, missile capability, multi-spectral targetting system cameras and sensors.
“The technologies used in this drone rank it among the best unmanned aerial vehicles in the world,” said KACST president Prince Dr Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed Al Saud.
(Al Riyadh Photo)
Hi-tech components incorporated in “Saqr 1” were transferred from world leaders in drone technologies, particularly the laser systems, high-precision thermal cameras, multi-sensors and geo-spatial positioning systems.
“The new drone has been subjected to numerous tests and succeeded in meeting international standards,” said Dr Turki, adding that the third generation of “Saqr” drone would be ready by 2018, with a ground-control room.
Al Riyadh Photo
Al Riyadh Photo
Al Riyadh Photo
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