On a autumn day at Kép Airport in Bắc Giang, the Institute of Air Defense – Air Force (VKTPK-KQ) successfully conducted a test flight of two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed and manufactured by the unit. This type of aircraft serves civilian purposes: to observe areas of forest and sea, to carry out communication tasks, and to film and photograph regions that are inaccessible to humans, such as contaminated areas, treacherous roads, flood zones, and to monitor rescue operations…
Thus, not long after the introduction of the lightweight aircraft VNS-41, the scientists of VKTPK-KQ once again positioned Vietnam as the first country in Southeast Asia to successfully produce UAVs.
The journey from flight objectives…
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Technical preparation before test flights (Photo: CAND) |
The project “Design and Manufacture of Program-Controlled UAVs” was initiated by VKTPK-KQ at the beginning of 2001. After four years of research and testing on various aircraft models, on September 13, 2005, a demonstration flight report of the project was conducted at Kép Airport, showcasing the successful operation of two M400-CT aircraft with serial numbers 405 and 406. This day marked the official launch of UAVs “made in Vietnam.” However, achieving this result was a long process of research and testing on numerous types of flight objectives.
In discussions with Colonel, Dr. Lê Đình Cương – Deputy Director of VKTPK-KQ and Project Leader, we learned that since 1993, VKTPK-KQ had begun researching and producing various flight targets to replace simple targets to serve training purposes. These flight targets are remotely controlled from the ground and can fly within visual range. Each year, these targets are produced for training purposes, meeting the shooting training needs of anti-aircraft artillery and low-altitude missile forces for a long time… However, these targets still had weaknesses: low altitude and slow speed…
The need for program-controlled flight targets with enhanced speed and altitude capabilities for training purposes became an urgent requirement. Once again, VKTPK-KQ and Factory A40 collaborated to continue researching program-controlled flight targets. The M-100 target enhancement program was initiated. After nearly five months of research and upgrades, VKTPK-KQ completed the enhancement of the M-100 target to meet technical requirements. During a demonstration flight conducted in July 2004, VKTPK-KQ successfully showcased two flights of the M-100 target.
The successful enhancement of the M-100 target marked a significant advancement in the field of flight target manufacturing, laying a solid foundation for scientists to design and successfully manufacture UAVs.
… To Vietnamese UAVs
In 2001, when the project “Research, Design, and Manufacture of Program-Controlled UAVs” began, engineers Trịnh Xuân Đạt and Nguyễn Thanh Tịnh were assigned the task of designing the program system and manufacturing the aircraft’s control unit. They had to delve into research through books, drawing experiences from previous manufacturing and testing of the aforementioned flight targets to calculate and determine the flight characteristics and aerodynamics of the UAV. Throughout the design, research, and assembly process of the UAV, developing the control program was the most challenging and labor-intensive aspect. This is considered the “heart” of the aircraft, as mastering and processing the control program allows for the integration and installation of necessary devices to operate the aircraft according to the specific requirements of each task.
The technology for manufacturing and assembling flight models in general, and UAVs in Vietnam, currently faces many challenges. The process of assembling the M400-CT also encountered these difficulties, as the domestic market lacks aviation-specific electrical and mechanical equipment. Aside from the engine imported as a complete unit from abroad, all electronic components were integrated and assembled by the research team from parts sourced in the local market. Since aviation equipment in Vietnam is not specialized, manufacturers must invest significant effort in researching and applying available devices to meet practical requirements while ensuring they are lightweight, sturdy, and, most importantly, highly safe.
The body of the UAV is constructed from composite polymer materials (instead of wood like traditional flight targets). For the wings and tail fins, a sandwich structure is used, with compressed foam in the middle and composite material for the outer shell. The entire structure of the UAV’s body is built as a hollow framework, divided into several compartments as needed, allowing the installation of various devices within these hollow sections. The aircraft’s propellers are crafted from Vietnamese wood. This can also be considered a technical innovation, as after being shaped by carpenters according to the design model, the propellers are coated with a durable adhesive fabric to prevent cracking and delamination. This device has successfully undergone test flights, and its thrust and durability are comparable to imported propellers.
The first generation of Vietnamese UAVs is designed with a flight speed of 250 to 280 km/h. The M400-CT UAV can take off and land on runways (dirt or concrete). Along with the UAV production, VKTPK-KQ has also successfully designed and manufactured launch systems (for cases without a takeoff runway) using locally available materials that are lightweight and easy to maneuver. With these initial successes, the research team continues to study ways to improve the aerodynamics of various UAV types, especially those with higher speeds and altitudes, to create different designs that meet usage requirements; to refine the UAV’s program control system based on using all input parameters sourced from measuring sensors and digital compasses to ensure that the aircraft can operate in all complex weather conditions, both day and night; and to install various specialized equipment on the UAV for different purposes.
After nearly four years of project implementation, with the support of the leadership of the Air Defense-Air Force Service and particularly the diligent efforts of the participating members, the project has been successful. This success opens new development directions for the aviation industry – a relatively new but promising field for Vietnam.
