UAE unveils latest drones and weapons system

Middle East, News November 16, 2021 , by IRIA No Comments

The United Arab Emirates’ Edge Group unveiled a series of vertical-takeoff-and-landing drones as well as a precision-guided munition system during the Dubai Air Show on November 13.

The Air Show featured the QX-5 and QX-6 drones among other advanced defense equipment in the Edge Group pavilion.

The advanced QX-6 drone has autopilot and communications systems, and can independently perform operations without the need for remote control. The drone can be guided by a camera or using fixed coordinates to strike its target. The QX-6 UAV is capable of carrying a payload of up to 150 kgs and can deliver cargo to distant locations. The drone can be used for both commercial and defense purposes.

According to the information provided by the company officials, the QX-6 system has 4-hour endurance, which depends on the configuration the payload drone is carrying.

The QX-5 drone was also on display during the exhibition. The QX-5 is an advanced version of the QX-4 kamikaze UAV that was unveiled earlier this year at the International Defense Exhibition and Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

According to Defense News, the QX-5 is designed to perform intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance operations and can also be used for border security and military missions. The QX-5 UAV is a fixed-wing aircraft with a 25-kilogram payload capacity. It is equipped with autopilot and communications systems and has a 16-hour flight endurance.

The company also unveiled its Rash 2-H highly precise guided munition system. The system weighs around 13.5 kilograms and can perform surveillance operations and enhance border security by neutralizing small to medium-sized targets. Rash 2-H has the highest payload capacity in the Rash systems and it can be used during both the day and night missions.

Edge Group’s senior official Al Nuaimi told Defense News that “Rash was made through converting a conventional cheap munition to a guided munition. We started by developing Rash 1, based on 60mm mortars, then we moved to Rash 2 based on 120mm mortars and further upgraded to Rash 2-H.” Al Nuaimi added: “This munition is tested in the UAE with the armed forces and can be integrated to manned or unmanned systems.”

The first prototype of Edge Group’s QX drone and Rush 2-H weapon system made their sales debut nine months ago, according to the company’s CEO Faisal Al Bannai.

Edge Group’s senior business development manager, Muhammed Al Nuaimi told Defense News that the QX-5 can meet the requirements of the UAE’s military forces. “The system is under development, at the preliminary design review stage, and the production unit is expected to come out in the first quarter of 2023,” Al Bannai added.

The UAE also announced the opening of the first regional distribution hub for aircraft logistics with China National Aero-Technology Import & Export Corporation, a Chinese state-backed defense company.