Horizon (folding drone)

2024: Product Announcement

At the end of July 2024, Russian specialists from St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation (GUAP) announced the development of the world's first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a foldable design. The applied technical solution simplifies the storage and transportation of the drone.

The drone was created as part of a project called "Horizon." It is noted that one of the serious problems in the UAV industry is the large dimensions and significant weight of the devices. This makes it difficult to store and transport drones to the take-off site. Russian experts have proposed an original design based on the principle of elastic deformation of the leading edge of the wing. Thanks to the ability to fold, you can reduce the dimensions of the drone without the need to disassemble it into parts. The frame provides quick preparation for operation and the ability to take off without the use of additional devices.

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According to TASS, referring to information received from the developers, the drone is capable of performing a wide range of tasks, including surveillance and video filming. However, it is easy to use. Rapid assembly and start-up without the use of accessories accelerates the receipt of images from the air in real time, which plays a key role in rescue operations. At the same time, the modular system allows you to implement various functionality in a short time. For example, instead of a standard camera, a thermal imager may be installed to work in the dark or in poor visibility.

GUAP specialists emphasize that as of August 2024, there are no analogues of UAVs with a similar design on the market. A similar solution is used in the production of hang gliders, but they do not fold the frame. The new unmanned vehicle can be used for aerial monitoring and surveying.^[1]

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