Marques Aviation Unveil “MA THOR Twin” MALE UAS

By Caroline Rees / 20 Dec 2013
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MA-Thor-Twin UAS

The “MA THOR Twin” MALE UAS

The MA THOR Twin is a versatile aircraft used in civilian and commercial missions as diverse as remote sensing and mapping, land and maritime border patrol, sea and land search and rescue, long endurance persistent surveillance, monitoring of oil and gas installations and pipelines, inspection of natural disasters, ecological work, firefighting, and many other.

The capabilities of the vehicle include long-endurance over-the-horizon persistent surveillance, flight altitude of 6000 m, large payload capacity (100 kg), a unique 5-metre long internal payload bay that allows quick modular payload installation, additional payload installation mounted at two hard points under the wings, innovative avionics and electronic systems, low noise engine, and sense and avoid capabilities for safe integration into the relevant air space. In addition, the system allows controlling two concurrent missions from the same Ground Control Station (GCS).

The MA THOR Twin is a high-wing twin-tail-boom aircraft with a fuselage shaped for low radar detection. The airframe is reinforced graphite, Kevlar and epoxy resin and it is sealed for long life in hot and humid environments. The airframe can be fitted with a rail or pod under each wing for carriage of external stores, such as additional fuel tanks. The aircraft is powered by two 4-stroke twin-opposed cylinder engines mounted above the wings that drive three-blade propellers and provide high vehicle endurance. Enhanced aerodynamics and flight stability principles permit the MA THOR Twin UAS to complete missions in the most demanding flight environments. The wings use a high-lift stall-resistant airfoil, have an aspect ratio of 10 and are fitted with flow control devices. The wings feature dihedral, geometric washout, taper, and sweepback. Wingtip devices reduce induced drag.

Specifications
Cruise speed: 140 km/h
Stall speed: 75 km/h
Max. climb rate: 300 m/min
Ceiling: 6000 m
Operation radius: 200 km, 800 km using relays.
Endurance: 10 hrs gasoline/oil
Flight range: 1200 km
Takeoff distance: 250 m asphalt
Dimensions: 7.4 m long, 1.9 m high, 5.5 m fuselage,
11 m wingspan, 10 AR, 10 m2 wing surface.
Empty weight: 470 kg
Fuel weight: 170 kg
MTOW: 700 kg
Max. payload weight: 100 kg
Engine power: 180 HP one engine
Robust datalink; Comms link

Multiple Advanced Payloads
The vehicle accommodates a variety of payloads: Electro optical and infrared cameras, gyro stabilized daylight and low light cameras, miniature aperture radar, radar altimeter, automatic video tracker, nuclear biochemical sensors, meteorological appliances, laser detector tracker pod, ejectable items (leaflets, flares, communication jammers). Additional payloads can be installed in the UAV including SIGINT and scientific sensors, as well as larger sophisticated pay-loads for maritime surveillance and search and rescue missions for day and night (e.g., FLIR systems, UK). The MA THOR Twin system provides versatile multi-payload configurations utilizing cutting edge sensors and systems with modular installation to accomplish a wide variety of missions. The advanced modular MA THOR Twin UAS system architecture separates safety critical flight systems from mission systems providing great flexibility and cost/optimization in integration of new and indigenous payloads.

SATCOM
The MA THOR Twin UAS offers an advanced satellite communication data link and is operated from a universal command & control ground station (UGCS), enabling advanced mission management, highly autonomous and mission effective operation, and automatic takeoff and landing capability. Satellite communications (SATCOM) provide significantly enhanced mission flexibility. Leveraging SATCOM and the MA THOR Twin’s long endurance, the system can perform missions at very long distances from the operating base. SATCOM allows the MA THOR Twin to fly at very low altitudes, without the limitation of line of sight obstruction caused by topography. In fact, there is no need for line of sight between the aircraft and its GCS.

Safety and Reliability
Developed to the highest standards of safety and airworthiness. An anti-icing system facilitates operation in adverse weather and SAR/GMTI sensors allow the vehicle to operate in cloud conditions. The MA THOR Twin UAS features a fully redundant flight avionics and electronics architecture. The aircraft also features redundant flight control surfaces.

Hyperspectral Imaging
Innovative hyperspectral technology enables imaging of the region of interest at different wavelengths. This imaging payload tracks spectral signature of the imaged materials, which is unique to every material in nature. The innovative hyperspectral technology introduces a new, additional dimension to the world of surveillance by enabling detection and tracking of targets on the basis of their material signature. The new payload enables intelligence gathering via identification, measurement and tracking of materials and objects including uncovering low signature target activity and invisible obstacles, as well as identification of hazardous materials. The airborne hyperspectral system is complemented by a ground segment that provides automatic interpretation of the images.

Universal Ground Control Station (UGCS)
Capable of controlling multiple types of UAS, the UGCS support all phases from mission planning and preflight checks, through mission execution, debrief and training. The UGCS is capable of concurrently controlling two parallel UAS missions using two Ground Data Terminals (GDTs). A high level of system autonomy enables the operator to focus on mission execution, rather than on flying the air vehicle. Typically, the same operator can control both the air vehicle and the EO/IR/Laser payload.

Posted by Caroline Rees Caroline co-founded Unmanned Systems Technology and has been at the forefront of the business ever since. With a Masters Degree in marketing Caroline has her finger on the pulse of all things unmanned and is committed to showcasing the very latest in unmanned technical innovation. Connect & Contact