Interpolitex 2024 – ZALA Aero unveils its T-20 UAV
ZALA Aero showcased its T-20 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the first time at the Interpolitex 2024 exhibition of national security equipment, which was held in Moscow 19-21 November
In its military version, the UAV is known as Z-20 and is part of the Lancet unmanned aerial system (UAS), along with the Lancet-51 (Product-51) and Lancet-53 (Product-53) X-shaped loitering munitions. Beside the T-20, at the ZALA Aero stand visitors could also see the T-16 UAV, which has the designation Z-16 in its military version. This airframe is also part of the Lancet UAS.
As explained to EDR On-Line by ZALA company representatives, the T-20 UAV differs from the T-16 for size and some performances. The T-20 has a square section fuselage while the T-16 has a cylindrical fuselage, both being propelled by an electric motor located at the rear, which powers a two-blade propeller, the battery being close to the centre of gravity. The T-20 has a V-tail and a straight high wing with wingtip winglets, while the T-16 has a swept back wing and no rear empennage.
The T-20 has a flight endurance of over 6 hours, compared to the over 4 hours of the T-16, its maximum take-off weight is 17 kg, compared to the 10.5 kg of the smaller airframe, the payload mass is 2.5 kg versus 1.8 kg of the T-16, its wingspan is 4 metres the T-16 being 2.815 metres, and the communication range is over 100 km, twice that of the T-16. Some characteristics of the T-20 and T-16 coincide. In particular, the flight altitude can vary from 100 m to 5,000 metres, the speed range goes from 65 to 110 km/h, and the operating temperature range is from -40°C to +50°C. UAVs can be used at wind speeds of up to 15 m/s. Both UAVs are launched using the same pneumatic catapult, and land using a parachute and inflatable shock absorber. They are fitted with an inertial navigation system (INS) with satellite signal correction, a double rangefinder, a video navigation system being proposed as an alternative.
Payloads are also common to both versions. The main sensor is located at the front and ranges from a day HD camcorder to a similar system but with a thermal imager, a same TI system with laser designator being also available. Gas and dosimeters are available, should the UAV be employed for CBRN recognition missions, while an underwing camera can also be fitted, with a resolution of 60 MP, and can be used to search and identify objects located on land or water surfaces. The T-20’s flight duration was increased by using a new, heavier lithium-ion battery. The life cycle of the T-20 is 150 flights.
Currently, both types of reconnaissance UAVs, Z-16 and Z-20, are used in the Ukrainian theatre of military operations as part of the Lancet UAS system.
Photos by N. Morris
