Today’s unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, are becoming lighter, more capable, and more affordable than their first-generation predecessors. With ADASI, the UAE is rapidly becoming a leader in unmanned systems.
ADASI’s QX series encapsulates the next generation of unmanned systems, designed to enhance operational effectiveness with technological expertise and bring cutting-edge autonomy capabilities to the defense industry rapidly and affordably.
Launched one year ago, the first products in the QX series are easily portable, deployable and designed for use on the frontline by infantry or special forces. While QX-1 is a loitering munition drone, designed to destroy itself along with the target, the QX-2 and QX-3 variants have the option of deploying precision-guided weapons from close range. QX-4 is a fixed-wing VTOL variant of the QX family, offering an extended endurance of 90 minute.
In a complex, ever-evolving operational environment, end users seek common systems that can ensure reliable performance and low logistic needs. The entire QX series is based on an open, modular and scalable architectural design that ensures true multi-role capability and reduced cost of ownership. The systems vary in size, range, endurance and payload while the core design remains the same.
QX-5 and QX-6 are the latest members of the tactical series aimed at supporting customers’ most demanding mission scenarios. QX-5 is a fixed-wing VTOL UAV primarily designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) roles. Unlike the earlier versions QX-3 and QX-4, which can support attack missions, QX-5 is focused on extended range and endurance ISR missions, border patrol, pipeline monitoring, and wide area surveillance for both civil and military usage. The system boasts a maximum take-off weight of 110 kg, a range of 100 km, an endurance of 7–16 hours (depending on payload configuration), and a service ceiling of 15,000 ft.
The VTOL-capable tactical QX-6 UAV is a cargo variant in the series. Built to support deliveries in challenging environments, the 150 kg cargo can either be a sling configured or enclosed in customised container with an automatic release feature. It has a maximum take-off weight of 500 kg, a range of 100 km, an endurance of 1–4 h (depending on payload configuration), and a service ceiling of 10,000 ft. Its ability to operate from both land and maritime vessels enables not only the army and naval forces to employ the UAV, but oil and gas facilities can also benefit.
Features that set ADASI apart from many of its international competitors include a complete range of platforms, battlefield operation capability, the ability to integrate its products with complex payloads, and sustainment packages that include mobile ground systems, maintenance and training.
