Penguin Unmanned Aerial Systems are designed to be compact and lightweight, weighing around 3.5 pounds. They have a wingspan of 8 feet and can fly at speeds of up to 50 knots.
Their small size makes them perfect for use in tight spaces, such as indoors or in urban areas. They can also be easily transported and stored.
Penguin UAS can fly for up to 2 hours on a single charge, and can carry a payload of up to 2 pounds. This makes them ideal for a variety of tasks, such as surveillance and mapping.
Their advanced autopilot system allows them to fly autonomously, using GPS and sensors to navigate. This makes them highly efficient and reliable.
Design and Features
The Penguin B UAV is designed to be flexible and versatile, suitable for both military and commercial applications. It's 2.2m long and 3.3m wide, making it a decent size for its intended use.
The Penguin B can operate in harsh environments, including rain and snow, and can take off from a runway or a car top launcher (CTL). The CTL is a convenient and cost-effective option, costing one-third of the price of a conventional catapult launching technique.
The CTL is mounted on top of a car using standard THULE Rapid Aero rack mounts, making it easy to transport and deploy the UAV. The launch takes place when the smart hook lever arrangement in the CTL unhooks the aerial vehicle once the car reaches 70km/h speed.
The Penguin B features a modular composite airframe, which is a great advantage in terms of maintainability and upgradability. The detachable V-tail and payload bay also make it easy to swap out payloads and perform maintenance.
The UAV is equipped with a high lift flap system, GPS bay, and large access hatches, making it a robust and reliable platform. The electro-optic camera underneath the centreline fuselage section is a valuable asset for capturing imagery of the field it surveys.
Here are some of the key features of the Penguin B UAV:
- Modular composite airframe
- Detachable V-tail and payload bay
- High lift flap system
- GPS bay
- Large access hatches
- Electro-optic camera
- Bartering payload module
- Lithium polymer charger
- Soft neoprene fuselage covers
Operability and Performance
The Penguin unmanned aerial system is incredibly versatile, allowing for takeoff from a variety of surfaces, including a runway, a catapult, or even a "car-top launcher". This flexibility is a game-changer for operations that require adaptability.
One notable aspect of the Penguin's operability is its ability to land safely, whether on a runway or using a parachute. This versatility is a testament to the aircraft's advanced design.
The Penguin's performance is equally impressive, with a maximum speed of 129km/h, making it well-suited for a range of applications.
Enhanced Operability
The Penguin's takeoff capabilities are incredibly versatile, allowing it to launch from a runway, a catapult, or even a "car-top launcher". This flexibility is a game-changer for its operators.
Being able to take off from a variety of platforms expands the Penguin's operational range and makes it a more practical choice for different situations.
Flight Autonomy
The Penguin aircraft is capable of flying over 20 hours, thanks to its combustion engine with EFI and fuel tanks for long endurance.
Its high payload capacity allows it to carry a significant amount of weight, with a maximum payload of up to 10kg.
The aircraft's maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) is 25Km, which is impressive for its size.
Performance
The Penguin B is a capable aircraft, with a maximum speed of 129km/h. This makes it well-suited for a variety of tasks, from recreation to light cargo transport.
The cruise speed of 79km/h is a good balance between efficiency and speed, making it a practical choice for long trips. However, it's worth noting that the aircraft can only fly for a maximum of 20 hours.
The stall speed of 46km/h is relatively low, which can make the aircraft more sensitive to control inputs. This requires a bit more skill and attention from the pilot to navigate safely.
The service ceiling of 5,000m is impressive, allowing the aircraft to fly high and reach remote areas. This makes it a great choice for search and rescue operations or other tasks that require access to high altitudes.
The take-off run of just 30m is remarkably short, making it easy to operate the aircraft in tight spaces.
Guides and Announcements
Penguin unmanned aerial systems are designed to be highly maneuverable, with a top speed of 70 mph and a range of 60 miles.
The penguin UAS is equipped with a high-definition camera, allowing for clear and detailed footage of the surrounding area. This feature is particularly useful for search and rescue missions, where every detail counts.
Penguin UAS operators must undergo rigorous training to ensure they can safely and effectively operate the system.
Recommended Buyers Guides
The Penguin B aircraft has a notable history, with its maiden flight taking place in August 2011.
It's worth noting that the vehicle was displayed at the Eurosatory Defence Expo in Paris in June 2010, giving potential buyers a first look at the aircraft.
The Penguin B's endurance was a major focus for UAV Factory, who upgraded the aircraft with a 7.5 litre capacity fuel tank and 80W on-board generator system in February 2011, increasing its endurance from six hours to more than 20.
This upgrade was a significant improvement, allowing the aircraft to stay in the air for a much longer period of time.
UAV Factory Announces C Mk2 Release
The Penguin C Mk2 is a significant upgrade to the original Penguin aircraft, with improved payload capacity, endurance, and capabilities. It's available in Group 2 or Group 3 configuration, allowing for more flexibility in its deployment.
The C Mk2 has an increased payload capacity of up to 4 kg, and its improved aerodynamics and fuel capacity have boosted its flight endurance capability to 25.5 hours. This is a significant improvement over the original Mk1 aircraft.
The Penguin C Mk2 is natively compatible with the entire range of Epsilon payloads, including the state-of-the-art Epsilon 175 and Epsilon 180 gimbals. This allows for a wide range of applications and uses.
The swappable nose concept of the C Mk2 is a game-changer, allowing for the field replacement of payloads within seconds. This feature is especially useful in situations where quick payload changes are required.
The C Mk2 uses advanced Silvus 2x2 MIMO datalinks with a radio link range of over 120 kilometers. This provides a reliable and secure communication link between the aircraft and its ground station.
Here are some key features of the Penguin C Mk2:
- Increased payload capacity of up to 4 kg
- Improved aerodynamics and fuel capacity for 25.5 hour flight endurance
- Natively compatible with Epsilon payloads
- Swappable nose concept for quick payload changes
- Advanced Silvus 2x2 MIMO datalinks with over 120 km radio link range
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the penguin UAS cost?
The Penguin UAS base cost is under $20,000, with costs increasing based on payload. This is significantly less than its military equivalent, making it a cost-effective option.
What is the difference between a UAS and a UAV?
A UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) refers to the entire system, including the UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle), the person controlling it, and the connecting system. In essence, a UAV is a component of a UAS, not the other way around.
Sources
- https://www.embention.com/en/unmanned-drone-en/25kg-high-endurance-plane/
- https://www.aerocontact.com/en/virtual-aviation-exhibition/product/82-uav-penguin-b
- https://pdf.aeroexpo.online/pdf/uav-factory-ltd-europe/penguin-c-uas/174156-17337.html
- https://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/penguin-b-unmanned-aerial-vehicle/
- https://www.asdnews.com/news/defense/2020/11/12/uav-factory-announces-release-penguin-c-mk2-system
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