Russia’s Zala Aero has announced that it plans to launch an upgraded ZALA 421-E16 UAS. Later in 2012, fixed wing UAS ZALA 421-04M and VTOL UAS ZALA 421-23 will also receive similar upgrades.
This new upgrade includes the platform having the latest digital HD transmitter, 2W or 4W amplifier and a new antenna that will be installed in the wing.
Zala Aero is also developing a new payload to its ZALA G-3 range to go along with the upgrade for ZALA 421-E16 (that can also be used on ZALA 421-16). The current ZALA 421-G3 HD payload is already being used onboard the UAS and the new payload that is being developed ZALA 421-G3 HD/IR will combine the IR version and HD version of the previous payloads to provide the HD quality video and IR 640×480 resolution in one.
An ultra-compact color PAL block camera stabilized platform, which is able to carry out the survey with resolution of HD quality. It has 10x optical zoom in combination with optional 4x digital. Fitted with thermal imaging camera TAU 640. It provides NTSC video stream at 30 frames per second with resolution 640×480. Built-in denoising system, high sensitivity (<50 mK at f/0.1), flexible operating environment from -30/+50°C, low energy demand, portability and light weight present significant advantage while carrying out night survey, monitoring during bad weather and diverse season.
ZALA platform is unique as it has built-in system of stabilization and independent inertial system that make the quality of images higher thanks to cutting of mechanical restriction and digital noise. Overall dimensions 165x127x127mm, wieght 890g, tangage +/- 85, roll ±125°, operating temperature -30°C…+50°, video output HD/PAL, Resolution 1080i/640×480, spectral range of IR 7,5…13,5 μm. Perfect auto-focusing, light weight and compact dimensions combined with flexible automatic stabilized platform allow operator to monitor with wide angle range that lead to hi-res images.
Source: Press Release