First UAE-made VTOL drone launched
The light military drone can be used for surveillance at border areas and critical infrastructures like oil rigs
abu dhabi — The first UAE-made vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) ‘Garmousha’ was launched by defence conglomerate Edge’s entity Adasi at the Unmanned Systems Exhibition and Conference (UMEX) and the Simulation and Training Exhibition and Conference (SimTEX) in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
The light military drone can be used for surveillance at border areas and critical infrastructures like oil rigs, and for inspections depending on the type of payload. Garmousha can be used for light weaponsiation and security matters, according to top officials.
Mohammed Ali Abdulla, senior commercial and sales manager of Adasi, revealed Garmousha is an efficient solution to carry payload of up to 100kg, at a maximum speed of 140kmph for up to six hours and has a high-definition camera and a sight range of 150km. The drone can be used to detect gas pipeline leaks, oil spillage and for rescue operations.
Garmousha can also be packed into a ship container and easily transported too. “We have started production as testing has been complete. We also have existing contracts with clients. We have customers both in the UAE and overseas. Very few UAVs can give this drone’s capabilities,” Abdulla told Khaleej Times.
Many Emiratis were on board to create the first prototype of the drone. “We have highly skilled nationals involved in production, who were part of the project from day one. Today, we are proud to see it in the production phase. Adasi was established in 2007 and we are constantly progressing.”
The drone can easily fly from Abu Dhabi City to Al Ain or to Ruwais for surveillance purposes. The delivery of the first Garmousha is expected by end of this year.
Meanwhile, Faisal Al Bannai, chief executive officer and managing director of Edge, said a number of ‘announcements’ will follow this year on unmanned and autonomous systems. ashwani@khaleejtimes.com