Hybrid Aerospace

Target Drone

for small and fast drone attack simulation

The ongoing proliferation of cheap attack drones presents an enormous challenge for air defense and force-protection efforts. While defense against classical cruise missiles is well understood and defense against quadrocopters is increasingly in the focus of emerging counter-UAS capabilities, low-flying fast-attack UAVs with low radar signature and almost no heat signature are not yet widely discussed. However, they present an additional threat category which is very difficult to defend against.

Hybrid Aerospace presents an unarmed low-cost target drone that is well suited for training defense against such UAVs.

Target Drone take-off

Key Features

  • 2 kg target drone
  • Maximum speed of up to 300 km/h
  • Electric engine with a range of up to 10 km
  • Man-portable catapult launcher
  • Parachute landing
  • Reusable after repacking of parachute

Deployment process

Take-off anywhere with small rapidly deployable catapult launcher

Radio control with FPV or preprogrammed GPS-waypoints

Safe flight abort with parachute landing

Target drone imitates small attack drones

Flight Profile

  • Start with small catapult
  • Flight altitude up to 120 m
  • Autonomous waypoint following
  • Barometric altitude control and terrain following modes
  • Visually guided autonomous or FPV final approach
  • Manual and automatic flight termination with parachute

Examples of visual target tracking

Target Drone take-off

Target simulation

The target drone can simulate small and fast attack UAVs and suicide drones. The altitude and speed profile can be adjusted to match a desired target. The target drone can follow GPS-waypoints and switch to visual terminal guidance. Depending on the selected mode, the parachute can be triggered instead of actually approaching the selected position or acquired target.

Manufacturing

  • Flexible production with 3D-printed structural components
  • Component production and final assembly in Germany
  • Purchased components sourced from western-aligned companies
  • Modularity and components designed for rapid scaling of production

Connection and Datalink

  • Digital 2.4 GHz RC link for control in FPV mode and safety override in autonomous mode.
  • Wi-Fi App for mission setup
  • Analog 5.8 GHz video downlink
  • Integration into third party C² networks can be commissioned

Sensors

  • GNSS-Inertial Navigation
  • Barometric altimeter
  • Laser altimeter for terrain following
  • RGB Camera with visual target recognition (airborne and ground)