Thai firm Aero Technology Industry Company Limited (ATIL) unveiled the DP-20/A medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on 29 August at the opening day of the Defense & Security 2022 show in Bangkok.
ATIL said the UAV is suitable for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. It said the MALE UAV can also conduct fire calibration, border patrol, battlefield assessment, and targeting and positioning missions. Apart from the standard electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payload, the UAV can optionally be equipped with synthetic aperture radar, signals intelligence (SIGINT), communication relay, and weapons.
An ATIL official told Janes that DP-20/A is part of a project by Thailand’s Defence Technology Institute (DTI). He added that DTI has, to date, issued a requirement of two MALE UAVs. The official said the development of the UAV is complete and flight trials for achieving airworthiness certification are under way. He said the local industry has manufactured 80% of the DP-20/A and its systems.
Photo: A prototype of the DP-20/A with armament is on display at the Defense & Security 2022 show in Bangkok. (Janes/Amit Kalra)
Source: Janes