At the MAKS 2021 International Aviation and Space Salon, Zala Aero, a Russian UAV manufacturer, presented its state-of-the-art vertical takeoff and landing drone, the ZALA VTOL.

ZALA Vertical Takeoff and Landing Drone (Picture source: Twitter account of New Defence Order. Strategy)

The new unmanned system ZALA VTOL combines the best qualities of an airplane and tiltrotor drones. It has the ability to change the configuration depending on the conditions of the task being performed and provides a huge potential for monitoring and aerial photography of any hard-to-reach places and areal objects.

The computing power of the ZX1 on-board computer based on artificial intelligence makes it possible to process data in Full HD and transmit HD video and photos over encrypted communication channels to the ground control station, ensuring the effectiveness of monitoring even before the aircraft lands.

The lightweight UAV is easy to operate and can stay in the air for up to 4 hours in an airplane configuration. Its main advantage is the absence of the need to use a specially equipped launch site, full compatibility with new payloads, ground control equipment, software and hardware solutions of the ZALA UAV model line, and also allows the installation of additional geodetic equipment.

The electric propulsion system enables the aircraft to be in the air for up to 4 hours, providing a range of up to 200 km in aircraft configuration.