Ukrainian engineers modify civilian UAVs for the military

5 May, 2023 The launch of the Chinese DJI Mavic drone on the front line. Photo from open sources Ukrainian engineers have developed a Vezha-1 power supply system for the UAVs, which will allow quadcopters to stay in the air for an unlimited time.

The news was made public by the Technical Support of the Army of Ukraine volunteers group on its social networks. A group of engineers from the Technical Support of the Army of Ukraine and Cyber Avia jointly developed a UAV power supply system by cable for long-term stay of the aircraft in the air. The system is already undergoing test trials:

"We conducted test trials of the prototype of the KV-1 project (Vezha-1). This is the Mavic 3 drone's power supply system via a cable from the ground. Works perfectly.

Height up to 35m. The working time is unlimited," the engineers say.

The drone modified by the developed system can be used as an unlimited flight repeater for FPV drones, a receiver carrier for signals intelligence, a radio antenna holder or a point of long-term observation over the battlefield. According to the developers, the system can be adapted to other drones of a similar size.

Details

The drone used in the system does not require structural changes. Control of the drone and communication remains unchanged via the radio channel.

However, engineers are planning to finalize the system for control over a wired connection to reduce radio visibility. After deployment, the system does not require the presence of an operator, the drone is capable of taking off and landing on its own. The system includes an on-board battery for emergency landing of the drone in case of loss of power from the ground.

Specifications:

  • Maximum flight height: 35m.
  • Maximum weight of additional equipment on board: 100g (at a lifting height of 25m).
  • Ground power supply from 220V or 12/24V network through an inverter.
  • There is protection of the operator against electric shock.
  • The distance of the cable from the winch to the ground power source is up to 250m or up to 500m.
  • Power consumption is ~500W.
  • The weight of the ground equipment is ~1.5 kg (without the weight of the inverter / battery).

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