EDEX 2023: CyRIC AGS's Goliath hexacopter joins forces with Dragonflyer gliders for precision strikes.

During EDEX 2023, CyRIC AGS, a Cyprus-based company specializing in Unmanned Aerial and Ground vehicles (UAVs and UGVs), introduced the Goliath, a long-endurance heavy lifter hexacopter. The focus of this hexacopter lies in optimizing efficiency, reliability, and weight to achieve long-endurance characteristics, ensuring a balance of efficiency, stability, and safety.

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The Dragonflyer-60, which was exposed as a load for the Goliath, has a payload capacity for 60mm mortar shells ranging from 1.2kg to 1.6kg with a maximum drop-off weight of 4kg.  (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Operated by a ground control station, the Goliath hexacopter has a static frame diameter of 1.6 m, a diameter of 2.36 m with rotating parts, a height of 0.63 m, and a weight of 7.7 kilograms (without battery) and 18 kilograms (with battery). The UAV offers a maximum take-off weight of 33 kilograms, a maximum ascent speed of 5m/s, and a maximum horizontal flight speed of 13m/s. The flight time varies, providing 58 minutes for a 5kg payload and 30 minutes for a 15kg payload.

Optional features of the Goliath hexacopter include a GPS anti-jamming system for GPS continuity and the ability to operate beyond the visual line of sight. Additionally, optional payload camera packages can be integrated into the system.

At EDEX 2023, pictures of the Goliath UAV showed its ability to be loaded with four Dragonflyer-60 or a pair of Dragonflyer-81 gliders, part of the Dragonflyer series, a set of GPS-guided gliders designed for precision strikes. These gliders are intended for transporting 60mm and 81mm mortar shells, featuring a 5-to-1 glide ratio for efficient flight during operations.

The Dragonflyer gliders, characterized by their compact and foldable design, are deployed from a mothership aircraft like the Goliath hexacopter. The Dragonflyer series includes two variants: the Dragonflyer-60 and Dragonflyer-81. These gliders possess autonomous functionality, receiving target coordinates from a ground control station, enabling independent calculations for the most efficient flight path based on prevailing weather conditions.

The Dragonflyer-60, which was exposed as a load for the Goliath, has a payload capacity for 60mm mortar shells ranging from 1.2kg to 1.6kg with a maximum drop-off weight of 4kg. Operating at a cruise/glide speed of 162 km/h and a dive speed of 215 km/h, it offers varying ranges based on altitude drop, ranging from 1.9 km to 14.5 km. The compact design of the Dragonflyer-60 includes a wingspan of 1.1 m, a width of 0.28 m, a height of 0.16 m, and a length ranging from 0.51 m when unfolded to 0.62 m when folded.