The rise of Asian rotary-wing UAVs

By David Oliver

The Royal Australian Navy’s 822X Squadron operates Schiebel Camcopter S-100 vertical take-off and landing unmanned air systems. © RAN

Australia has been at the forefront of maritime unmanned capabilities development and evaluation. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Development Unit (NUASDU) was formed in 2012 with the purpose of developing an in-depth understanding of the potential capabilities of Maritime Unmanned Aerial Systems (MUAS). RAN’s 822X Squadron was commissioned in October 2018, its mission to conduct experimentation and evaluation activities with contemporary UAS and advanced payloads to develop operational knowledge and experience, and procedures supporting safe maritime UAS operations for the future Fleet. In February 2017, the RAN awarded a contract to provide an unrevealed number of Schiebel Camcopter S-100 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS, plus three-years support to be operated by 822X Squadron.

Leonardo’s AWHero VTOL UAV has been shortlisted for Australia’s SEA 129 Phase 5 progamme © Leonardo

AVIC’s China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI) is developing the AV500 VTOL UAV for the People’s Liberation Army. © CATIC

In March 2020 Schiebel announced that it had successfully completed the acceptance tests for the RAN of the new heavy fuel S2 engine for its Camcopter S-100 UAS. The new engine is intended to be a next-generation replacement for the current propulsion unit that will further increase the unmanned aircraft’s operational capabilities as well as its maintainability. The enhancements will enable the RAN to continue to expand its test and evaluation programme, examining advanced VTOL UAS capabilities ahead of the SEA 129 Phase 5 Programme. This programme will select the future UAS capability for the RAN’s new Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) as well as other ships.

A comprehensive series of test flight activities was developed in order to demonstrate the endurance and maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with multiple payloads. The UAV was equipped with a L3 Harris Wescam MX-10 real-time Electro-Optical/ Infra-Red (EO/IR) camera, an Automatic Identification System (AIS), a L3 Harris Bandit transceiver and a Mode-S Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder. The configuration allows operators to locate and confirm the identity of vessels at sea, and to transmit this information in real-time to users equipped with Rover remote video terminals.

In March 2021, Canberra shortlisted five companies for its SEA 129 Phase 5 progamme for a MUAS designed to deliver a deployable intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR&T) capability to the RAN. Northrop Grumman Australia and Leonardo Australia’s team’s proposal includes Leonardo’s AWHero VTOL platform and subsystems, which includes a variant of Northrop Grumman’s Distributed Autonomy/Responsive Control (DA/RC) command and control system. Other contenders are BAE Systems with an as-yet-undeclared air vehicle, Insitu Pacific with the fixed-wing ScanEagle, Raytheon Australia and Schiebel Pacific with the Camcopter S-100, and Textron Systems Australia with the Aerosonde HQ hybrid quadrotor.

Another company developing a new surveillance UAV for the RAN is the Australian Innovaero. Full-scale testing of its FOX FTA-1 (VTOL) and FOX FTA-2 (Conventional Take-off and Landing) platforms will occur later this year.

China has produced a range of successful large fixed-wing medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) UAVs that have attracted worldwide export sale, particularly to Middle East countries. However, its development of VTOL UAVs has been less successful. In 2010 China purchased 18 Camcopter S-100s to operate from People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) frigates.

In May 2011 the Weifang Tianxiang Aviation Industry company flew an unmanned V750, based on the US-designed Brantly B-2B twoseat helicopter, but development has since been abandoned. The Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) has been developing a series of VTOL UAVs including the AV500B which made its first flight in 2013. In 2020 a new variant was test flown by AVIC’s China Helicopter Research and Development Institute (CHRDI) equipped with a chin-mounted dummy EO/IR sensor turret. The AV500C is a further development of CHRDI’s AV500B and has been specifically designed for high-altitude operations. The AV500B has a MTOW of 500 kg with an overall length of 7.2 meters, a rotor diameter of 6.3 meters and can carry a 160 kg payload. CHRDI is also developing a larger armed version, the AV500W which has been tested by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). It has a maximum endurance of eight hours, a cruising speed of 170 km/h and a service ceiling of 4,000 meters.

AVIC is also producing a series of armed, reconnaissance quadrotor VTOL UAVs. The A-Hawk I is powered by eight electric engines and has an MTOW of 175 kg and is able to carry a sensor payload of 65 kg including small rocket launchers, to an altitude of 3,000 meters. The 3.47 meters UAV has a maximum speed of 60 km/h and an endurance of 30 minutes. Although it was described as a surveillance platform, the model on display was shown carrying two small rocket launchers. The A-Hawk II, or Cloud-2, powered by four tilting ducted fans has a maximum take-off weight of 120 kg and carries a payload of both sensors and short-range missiles. It can also fly at 60 km/h to a ceiling of 5,000 meters with an endurance of four hours.

Its typical applications are reported to include attacking terrorists and their bases, safety of secure areas, suppressing firepower and the destruction of high value targets. Its civilian applications include tall building surveillance and cargo transportation, such as medical supplies, over short distances. These multi-rotor UAVs, which have only been seen as quarter-scale models, are being developed by the Beijing based X-Cloud UAV company.

The TD220 co-axial unmanned helicopter has been developed by the Beijing Science and Technology company. Powered by a 65 hp piston en-

AVIC is also developing a series of armed, reconnaissance quadrotor VTOL UAVs including the A-Hawk II. © David Oliver

The Ziyan Blowfish has been successfully trialed by the PLA at high altitude along the border with India. © Ziyan

gine, the TD220 has a 300 kg MTOW and can cruise at 100 km/h to a ceiling of 4,000 meters carrying a 50 kg payload.

Another co-axial VTOL UAV, the CH500 has been developed by the China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC). With a MTOW of 150 kg its dual rotor arrangement eliminates the need for a tail rotor, and makes its size more compact. The manoeuvrable CH-500 can be armed with two HJ-10 anti-tank missiles. The Norinco Sky Shaker H300 is a larger armed VTOL UAV with a conventional main rotor and tail rotor. It has a 300 kg MTOW and can carry 100 kg payload. Apart for its strike role, it can be used for battlefield surveillance and battle damage assessment.

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Tibet Military Command troops stationed at the border with India have deployed two locally built unmanned helicopters designed for high-altitude operations. The VTOL UAVs, Blowfish A2 and Ranger P2-X, were built by the Zhuhai Ziyan UAV company. They can perform strategic support, material transport, logistics support, and plateau intelligence reconnaissance and tactical strike missions, In July 2018, the Ziyan series UAV was used for border patrol and surveillance in the plateau with an altitude of more than 3,500 meters. During a test of its training mission, Parus, the smallest VTOL UAV from Ziyan, successfully took off from an altitude of 4,000 meters and flew to an altitude of 7,000 meters.

The Blowfish A2 is a versatile multi-mission unmanned helicopter with a MTOW of 50 kg that can carry a 15 kg payload, allowing the system to be fitted with a wide variety of payloads such as EO/IR cameras, LiDAR scanners and weapons systems.

With a high wind resistance and the ability to take off and land in a very small space, the Blowfish A2 is also offered as a maritime ISR platform. It can be

The TD220 co-axial unmanned helicopter has been developed by CATIC’s Beijing Science and Technology company. © David Oliver

Taiwan’s National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology Magic-Eye II is under development for surveillance and maritime operations. © NCSIST

equipped with an AIS transceiver and has a wider coverage area than patrol vessels. The aircraft also supports long-range HD video links and 4G communications modules for real-time image transmission. The 1.75 meters-long Ranger P2-X has an MTOW of 15.8 kg and can carry a sensor payload of 7 kg to a service ceiling of 5,000 meters. To date, none of China’s indigenous VTOL UAVs have been reported to be in operational service.

Taiwan’s only VTOL UAV, the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology Magic-Eye II, 2.5 meters long unmanned helicopter with an MTOW of 35 kg, a 15 kg payload and a one hour endurance, is under development for short-range high altitude surveillance and target acquisition, and maritime operations.

South Korea, Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) has been developing an unmanned tiltrotor aircraft with Korean Air, the KUS-VT. The Smart UAV programme was launched in 2002 and a prototype flew in 2013. Powered by a 550 shp Pratt & Whitney Canada PW206C turboshaft driving twin three-bladed proprotors, the 3.5 meters-long KUS-VT has an MTOW of 200 kg, can carry a 30 kg payload and has an operational radius of 200 km with an endurance of six hours, and a maximum speed of 108 kt. It is designed to perform autonomous VTOL high speed and ceiling surveillance missions and shipboard operations.

Korean Air plans to meet customer requirements by the end of 2021 for civilian and military use at home and overseas.

Korean Air has also been developing the KUS-VH which is a high-performance Strategic MALE UAV based on the MD 500MD helicopter since 2014, in cooperation with Boeing which has developed an optionally-manned version of its Little Bird H-6U. Flight endurance has been extended to four hours with the installation of a large fuel tank in place of the rear passenger seats. With a payload of 400 kg, the KUS-VH could be armed with unguided and guided rockets and anti-tank missiles.

The Korean Foosung Group has produced a number of VTOL UAVs including the RemoH M-100 powered by a two-stroke 32 hp piston engine, which has an MTOW of 100 kg and a sensor payload of 30 kg. Designed for surveillance and reconnaissance, communications relay and NBC detection, it was based on the RemoH C-100 designed for agricultural spraying but has failed to attract any military contracts.

Japan has also developed a successful range of crop-spraying VTOL UAVs since 1991. The 2.75 meters-long Yamaha RMAX was powered by a 20 hp L12 water-cooled two-stroke piston engine, and had a MTOW of 95 kg and a payload of 30 kg. The more advanced military variant, the RMAX Mk IIG, is fitted with an improved engine, flight

Singapore’s Defence Science Organisation National Laboratories had developed the country’s first fixed-wing UAV with a VTOL capability, the V15. © David Oliver

stability, and safety functions. The UAV featured an upgraded navigation system, a CCD video camera and a thermal imager and saw limited service with the JSDF ground units.

Singapore’s Defence Science Organisation National Laboratories V15 is the country’s first locally developed fixed-wing UAV with a VTOL capability. Its main features include a modular design for portability and quick set up, requiring just two men to assemble it in less than 10 minutes. The V15 is equipped with a day/night camera and is designed specifically for use in urban environments and has a three hour endurance. It is also able to operate autonomously with other unmanned systems, such as flying in synchrony and even taking off and landing on an unmanned ground vehicle during a mission.

ST Engineering’s Stinger Unmanned Aerial Multi-Rotor Gunship is a semi-autonomous, company-level reconnaissance and fire-support platform. The company is aiming for an endurance of over 30 minutes when carrying high-definition daylight and thermal imaging cameras, a fire-control system (FCS), and a 5.56mm calibre Ultimax 100 Mk8 light machine gun.

The ST Engineering Universal Surveillance and Tracking Rotorcraft-X (USTAR-X) is a 1.5 kg quadrotor UAV designed for reconnaissance, SAR, and disaster response, It can carry a 0.25 kg payload at a speed of 16 kt for up to 45 minutes. The larger USTAR-Y is a similar design with an MTOW of 5 kg with a 1 kg payload and a one hour endurance.

Thailand’s Naval Research and Development Office (NRDO) has developed a VTOL UAV similar to the ST Stinger, the Tarem tactical assault rifle-enabled multi-rotor being designed for Marine operations with a communications and C4ISR payload. The NRDO Fuvec is a hybrid fixed-wing UAV with a VTOL capability for reconnaissance, surveillance, observation and target tracking missions for land and maritime operations.

There is a plethora of VTOL UAVs being developed by the Asian countries but few have yet to reach the operational level attained by Western systems such as the Schiebel Camcopter S-100.

Thailand’s Naval Research and Development Office has developed a hybrid fixed-wing UAV with a VTOL capability, the Fuvec, for maritime operations. © David Oliver ST Engineering’s Stinger Unmanned Aerial Multi-Rotor Gunship is a semi-autonomous, company-level reconnaissance and fire-support platform. © David Oliver