The South-African company Milkor chose DSA to officially unveil a new family of Unmanned Aerial Systems, the MA 80 and the bigger MA 380. Both are “a new breed of powerful, long-endurance, portable aerial surveillance systems,” says Milkor.

A MA 80 scale model at DSA 2018

The two UAS are equipped with optical imagery equipment providing real-time high definition, infrared and multispectral video data acquisition transmitted to ground control station. This coupled with a Synthetic Aperture Radar makes the MA 80 and 380 perfect all weather platforms. 

The flight control system and autonomous optical sensor payload provide for fully autonomous missions including autonomous take-off and landing capabilities. A payload bay is also provided to allow the customer to install specific COMINT, SIGINT and ELINT equipment.

They are equipped with dual redundant Line of Sight Communications (LOSCom) system that maintain contact with the control unit up to 250 km. In addition, the UAS are fitted with a non-redundant Non-LOS Satellite Communication (SatCom) payload. It may optionally be equipped with laser designator and/or laser illuminator.

MA 80 and 380 UAS are powered by a single engine. The smaller MA 80 has a maximum range of 250 km,  a payload capacity of 15 kg and a cruise speed of 120 km/h under a maximum ceiling of 16,000 ft. The MA 380 has a twice as big wingspan of 12 meters. A MALE platform, it has a maximum range of 2,000 km and can reach a maximum speed of 220 km/h. It features a maximum payload capacity of 80 kg.

These UAS have a low wing T-tail design with low-drag, low wing loading and retractable landing gear.