Saudi Arabia buys UAVs, capable day to be airborne

2020: Announcement

In March, 2020 it became known of purchase of the unmanned aerial vehicles by Saudi Arabia capable day to be airborne. It is about the Saker-1B model developed by the American company Uavos together with the Saudi Center of science and technologies of a name of the king Abdel of Aziz (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, KACST).

The UAV has the maximum take-off weight in 1.1 tons and scope of a wing of 16 meters. Such dimensions are caused by the fact that Saker-1B "was initially sharpened" under long patrol in the conditions of, so to say, not too tender climate of the Middle East, high temperatures and impact of the sandy and dust storms characteristic of deserts. Time of flight reaches 24 hours without refueling.

Purchase of the unmanned aerial vehicles by Saudi Arabia capable day to be airborne

In total during the program of flight tests Saker-1B flew in total one thousand hours. In addition specialists checked the device for the flight duration which during tests was 19 hours.

By the beginning of March, 2020 the UAV passed all necessary tests and prepares for serial production for acceptance on arms. The device was tested in completely standalone mode in which the device executed automatic take-off, weeds along the set route with shooting of the area and landing. Testings are considered successful.

The most probable scope of the new UAV protection of oil fields and also the ways of transportation of "black gold" making the main national property of Saudi Arabia seems.

In addition to Saker-1B, the Uavos company is going to begin deliveries of the light two-seat Robinson R-22 helicopter capable to turn into the cargo UAV. The new device is intended both for cargo delivery, and for use in search and rescue and humanitarian transactions.

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