The UAV, designed to provide a cost-effective intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability, amongst others, has a flight endurance of over 10 hours and range of 800 km with a 7 kg payload, rivalling the performance of UAVs twice its size. The SF30, according to the company, is a persistent, multi-functional, rugged VTOL aircraft with class-leading performance, but at a significantly lower price point and much smaller logistical footprint than competitors.

Four electric motors with position-locking propellers provide vertical lift while a four-stroke petrol engine driving a pusher propeller provides thrust for horizontal flight and a cruising speed of 90 km/h.

The SF30 weights 22 kg empty, and carries 10 kg of fuel and payload. Wingspan is 4.13 metres, length 2.48 metres, and height .65 metres.

An accessible 40 litre payload bay makes changing payloads and sensors simple. Combination payloads, for example, a wide area scanner coupled to a gimballed day/night tracking camera, are possible.

ShadowfaxUAS said the SF30 offers robust vertical take-off and landing capability, allowing it to operate in unforgiving environments. It can take off and land anywhere – even from the top of a vehicle – and is completely runway and launch equipment independent. Auto-feathering VTOL propellers improve aerodynamic performance and flight duration. The UAV disassembles into a 1.6 metre long transport box, allowing for transportability in rugged environments with small vehicles.

Needing only two people to operate, the SF30 can be assembled from the box and be flight ready in less than an hour. Turnaround between flights is under 20 minutes.

The UAV was designed to offer high reliability for increased utilisation rates and reduced sensor data cost per hour. It has a removable forward propulsion engine unit which can be swapped out in seconds, making for easy maintenance, improved reliability as well as platform availability and utilisation.

“Reliability and high system availability is further enhanced by best-in-class equipment on board,” ShadowfaxUAS stated. The forward propulsion engine, VTOL motors, speed controllers and actuators were specifically designed for UAV use.

The platform is capable of carrying a range of communications equipment, including satellite communications, encrypted MIMO (multiple input, multiple output) radios and cellular, offering extensive operational range in third-world environments.

The UAV is ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations) free, offering export capability to most countries.

Shadowfax UAS (Pty) Ltd is a registered exporter of unmanned aerial systems with the South African National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC).

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