In 2004, CTRM collaborated with Ikramatic Systems to begin the development of a Malaysian autopilot system. In 2006, CTRM, SCS and Ikramatic started their work to develop the ‘SR-02’. The ‘SR-02’ was renamed to ‘ALUDRA’ (Alliance Unmanned Developmental Research Aircraft), signifying the spirit of the consortium.
The
ALUDRA can transmit real-time video imagery to the ground station and can be programmed for autonomous flight. It can be deployed from any unprepared grass or gravel runaway. Apart from battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance, ALUDRA System is also suitable for other applications such as monitoring of disaster area, forest fires, maritime surveillance, law enforcement and even traffic monitoring.
Specification
Weight : MTOW 200 kg, Max Payload 50 kg
Dimension : Length 14 ft, Wingspan 16 ft
LOS Range: 150 km, S-BAND & C-BAND Dual Link
Endurance : 6 hours
Max Speed: 120 KNOTS (220 km/h)
Payload : 4-Axis EO/IR Gyro Stabilised Turret
System : IMRAN 400 AUTOPILOT
MaxAltitude: 12,000 ft
(IMHO, the endurance and payload must be an under reported figure. Even if the endurance and payload is as specified, it's a simple matter of using a more powerful engine)
Looking at the specified endurance and payload, the ALUDRA Mk 1 may be in the size and payload class of the
ScanEagle (at US$100,000 each) and used by the U.S. Marine Corps. The ALUDRA has an endurance 6 hours (IMHO an under reported figure - it must be longer), which is about half that the ScanEagle (10-15 hours). The ScanEagle is a catapult launched 4-foot aircraft with a 10 foot wingspan and does not require an operator to control it.
Like the ALUDRA, the ScanEagle is a “launch-and-forget” system, loitering in a designated area of interest until it’s time to come home. Its electro-optical or infared cameras have enough definition to identify individuals and show if they are carrying weapons, then provide specific targeting coordinates via GPS.
Singapore is developing a UAV with a smaller payload capability (50kg) to be ready in 2009, called
Skyblade IV. Skyblade IV is a V tail shaped 2 meter long tactical UAV with a wing span of 3.5 meters, this vehicle weighs 50kg on takeoff and carries up to 12 kg of usable payload. It can climb up to 15,000 ft flying a mission of 12 hours. The range is limited by line-of-sight. Skyblade IV will be equipped with an EO/IR payload. Part of its appeal is its automatic catapult-assisted launch and automatic precision parachute recovery, requiring no runway for take off or landing.
Given their limited endurance and line-of-sight communications limitation, ALUDRA, ScanEagle and Skyblade IV would not be suitable for true maritime surveillance as specified in the USN's US$1.16 billion
BAMS program (which is based on the Global Hawk), as they are too short ranged and their payload is too small for more sophisticated sensors - such as radar.
The RSAF's
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Command currently operates
2 types of UAVs, whose range are limited by line-of-sight:
(i) the
Searcher (since
1998 replacing the Scout RPVs);
- with a length of 5.9 m, wingspan of 8.6 m and an endurance of more than 8 hours (according to Mindef)
(ii) the
Hermes 450 (since 2007)
- with a length of 6.1 m, wingspan of 10.5 m and an endurance of more than
14 hours (according to Mindef)
The RSAF also operates a
UAV Training Simulator.
IMHO, it looks like a good system, I congratulate Ikramatic Systems for the development of a Malaysian autopilot system programmed for autonomous flight. At first glance, from its specifications, it looks capable of its primary role battlefield surveillance and reconnaissance. The ALUDRA's electro-optical performance in terms of field of view will determine its surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.
Unless CTRM releases more information on its electro-optical system, we cannot determine ALUDRA's electro-optical system's utility to the battlefield commander. For comparison purposes, you can take a look at a market leading electro-optical system for UAVs, by Kollsman, Inc. who sells the
"Compass 4" system.
It was reported during the LIMA 07, MAF had showed strong interest toward this UAV. Rumored new developments include a laser designating capability or other unreleased capability under the project code name "Taming Sari XK98". No further details of new capabilities are available. If the ALUDRA Mk2 has a a laser designating capability, then it can guide precision bombs onto targets.
From the photos, it looks like a Searcher class UAV - if it is, then its endurance and other payload specifications must be under reported (ie. more capable than what CTRM tells us).
Please find 2 more pixs of ALUDRA below.
