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Best target drones in 2020


A target drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle, generally remote controlled, usually used in the training of anti-aircraft crews. One of the earliest drones was the British DH. 82 Queen Bee, a variant of the Tiger Moth trainer aircraft operational from 1935. Its name led to the present term "drone".


The target drones market is projected to grow from USD 3.79 Billion in 2016 to USD 6.20 Billion by 2022, at a CAGR of 8.55% during the forecast period. The base year considered for the study is 2015, and the forecast period is from 2016 to 2022.

Target drone for FM-90 SAM SYSTEM and RADAR CONTROL GUN SYSTEM


Target drone for FM-90 SAM SYSTEM and RADAR CONTROL GUN SYSTEM

Target drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle, generally remote controlled, usually used in the training of anti-aircraft crews.

Due to the growing complexity of defense sector, new maneuvres and instruments of the sector require new methods to carry on an effective training of military personnel, as well as calibration, testing and monitoring of armament. One of the tools used to cover this kind of need are the “ target drones ”.

In their simplest form, target drones often resemble radio-controlled model aircraft. More modern drones may use countermeasures, radar, and similar systems to mimic manned aircraft.

The autopilot takes care of all the basic tasks of flying the platform safely, including fully auto take-off (catapult launch) and parachute or runway recovery landing, Return-To-Base, multiple waypoints, etc. In addition to these basic functions the autopilot can also interact with a wide variety of payloads, including radar altimeters for advanced functions such as sea-skimming.

Target drones, also known as UAT (Unmanned Aerial Target), are unmanned vehicles that can be used as bullseye on military trainings and tests thanks to their low cost. Nevertheless, for its effective use on current military needs, it’s compulsory to give this bullseye drone a great mobility to let it emulate nowadays threats that could face the soldiers that are being trained; it’s on this point where the “Veronte Autopilot” stands out.Veronte Autopilot becomes the best option to program target drones, mainly for its quality-price relation, which is strengthened by discounts applied on volume purchases. The versatility of this autopilot allows to install on the aircraft a great quantity of devices / payload, as well as programming them to be activated as expected: from flares to smoke systems, as well as flashing lights, evasion devices and many others. In addition to the inclusion and programming of a great quantity of payload, the Veronte Autopilot permits to program the flight of target drones, so they can perform advanced maneuvers with sudden direction movements at the detection of a threat, to simulate the movement of missiles or just to establish flight routes which can be modified after the beginning of the mission. All that having in consideration that a single autopilot of this kind is able to control from the ground control station up to 64 UAT with the autopilot embedded, having the capability to perform perfectly its functions even while being installed on target drones with turbine or combustion engines able to reach speeds over 1000km/h (621mi/h) and an acceleration of 16G. Finally, it’s pertinent to point out that Veronte Autopilot can be embedded in Tow Targets (towed aircrafts that work as bullseye), giving them the same features given to target drones / UAT.

Target drone

Captain 4.05m
Wingspan 1.8m
The maximum leveling speed is 1000km/h (the sea height is 5000m)
Flight altitude 30m (phase height) ~ 12000m (sea height)
The height of the sea is 2.5m (phase height, special height sensor is required)
Overload capacity 8g (sea height 5000m, horizontal hovering)
Flight time ≥60min
Mission radius >300km (viewing)
Control mode Autonomous navigation + remote control command
Takeoff mode
Recycling method
Mission load ≥40kg
Fuel RP-3
Overhaul life ≥20 times

The target drone can carry mission equipment:

Electronic jammers, seeker simulators, infrared/foil jammers, RCS active/passive boosters, off-target indicators, infrared boosters, tracer bullets, etc.

Typical maneuvering of the  target drone:

The level continues to hover, half-roll reverse, snake-shaped maneuver, barrel roll, multi-machine cooperative formation.