'Made in Vietnam' unmanned aircraft

On an autumn day, at Kep airport (Bac Giang), the Air Defense and Air Defense Technology Institute (VKTPK-KQ) successfully conducted the test of two unmanned aircraft (MBKNL) designed by the unit. make. This type of aircraft is intended for civilian purposes: flight observation of forest areas, sea areas, communication and filming tasks, taking photos of inaccessible human areas such as radioactive areas, dangerous roads and flood areas. flood, observe the rescue location .

Thus, shortly after the event of light aircraft VNS-41 was born, once again the scientists of VKTPK-KQ made Vietnam become the first country in Southeast Asia to successfully produce MBKNL. .

Journey from flying targets .

Preparing technique before flying test (Photo: CAND)

The program 'Design and manufacture of control program for control of program' was implemented by VKTPK-KQ in early 2001. Over 4 years of research and testing on many aircraft models, on September 13, 2005, at the airport Dual VKTPK-KQ conducted a flight to report the project with the demonstration and successful operation of the two M400-CT aircraft carrying versions 405 and 406. This day has become the official day of MBKNL ' made in Vietnam '. But to get that result is a long process of research and testing on many types of flying targets.

Through discussions with Colonel, Dr. Le Dinh Cuong - Vice President of VKTPK-KQ, Project Manager, we learned: Since 1993, VKTPK-KQ has entered and researched and built many types of flying targets. replacing simple target types for training. The above flying targets are controlled by radio from the ground, it can fly in the view of the naked eye. Every year these targets are produced for training, meeting the firing needs of anti-aircraft artillery, low-range missiles for a long time . But these goals there are still weaknesses: low altitude, small speed .

It is required to have automatic control targets programmed, further improve the speed and height of the device to serve the training for many components to become a very urgent requirement. Once again, VKTPK-KQ and A40 Factory started to continue to study in the direction of controlling the target according to the predetermined program. The M-100 target improvement program was conducted. After nearly 5 months of research and upgrading VKTPK-KQ has completed the task of upgrading the M-100 target to ensure technical requirements. At the reporting flight conducted in July 2004, VKTPK-KQ successfully performed two flights of the M-100 target.

The successful M-100 target improvement program is a huge step forward in the field of flight target manufacturing, it is a solid premise for scientists to successfully design and manufacture MBKNL.

. Go to Vietnam unmanned aircraft

In 2001, when the project "Research, design and manufacture of control equipment was started under the program" , engineers Trinh Xuan Dat and Nguyen Thanh Tinh were assigned to design the program system and manufacture the set of articles. control of aircraft. They had to search through books, learn from the experience of manufacturing and testing the flight targets mentioned above to calculate, determine flight characteristics and aerodynamic characteristics of MBKNL. In all the design, fabrication and assembly process of MBKNL, the process of building the control program is difficult and has to spend the most effort. Because this is considered the 'heart' of the aircraft, grasping and handling the control program will resolve and install the necessary equipment and control the aircraft according to the requirements of each specific job.

Technology of manufacturing and assembling flight models in general and MBKNL in Vietnam is still facing many difficulties. In the process of manufacturing and assembling M400-CT, it was not difficult because the domestic market, the electrical and mechanical equipment for the aviation industry almost did not exist. In addition to the package import engine from abroad, the electrical and electronic equipment are integrated by the research team, assembled from components and details to buy in the domestic market. While the aviation equipment in Vietnam is not specialized, so it is necessary for the manufacturer to spend a lot of research and application of available equipment to apply to the actual situation while ensuring love. light, strong and especially high safety.

The end of the MBKNL shell body is made of composite polymer material (instead of wood as flying targets). For the wing and tail parts, using the sandwich structure, the compressed foam is used in the middle layer and the composite material is used for the outer shell. The whole structure of MBKNL body is made of hollow structure, divided into many compartments as required, so that the aircraft has the ability to install different devices in these hollow compartments. The propeller of the aircraft is researched and manufactured by Vietnamese wood. This can also be considered as a technical initiative, because after being carpeted by a carpenter according to the design, the aircraft propeller is covered with a high-strength glue-impregnated cloth to prevent cracking and separation of wood grain. This device was successfully put into test flight, the pulling force generated by the propeller and its durability is equivalent to the imported rotor.

The first generation MBKNLs of Vietnam are designed to fly from 250 to 280km / hour. M400-CT MBKNL can take off and land on the runway (clay or concrete). Along with the manufacture of MBKNL, VKTPK-KQ has also designed and successfully built launchers (used in cases of no runway takeoff) with locally available, lightweight and easy to maneuver. With the initial successes, the research team continues to study to improve aerodynamics of all types of MBKNL, especially those with higher flying speed and altitude, creating many different designs for suitable for use requirements; study to complete the control system according to the program of MBKNL on the basis of using all input parameters taken from sensors and digital compass to ensure that the aircraft can operate in all conditions complicated weather, in all day and night conditions; install many specialized devices on MBKNL to use for many different purposes.

After nearly 4 years of implementing the project, with the help of the leader of the PK-KQ Military Corps and especially the efforts of the members to participate directly, the project was successful. That success allows us to open new development directions of the aviation industry - a rather new but promising science field of Vietnam.