DSA 2024: Milkor's 380 UAV could rank in global Top Ten medium-altitude UAVs.

At the DSA 2024 exhibition in Malaysia, the South African company Milkor showcased its latest drone, the Milkor 380, highlighting its capabilities in unmanned operations. The drone's performances suggest that it could rank among the top ten medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs globally in terms of operational capabilities.
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The Milkor 380 possesses an impressive maximum range, more than twice the maximum range of the American MQ-9 Reaper, and operates continuously for up to 30 hours, surpassing the Turkish Bayraktar TB-2. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Milkor unveiled its latest creation, the Milkor 380, in February 2024 at the World Defense Show 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. During the exhibition, the company conducted demonstrations to highlight the drone's maneuverability, speed, and precision, emphasizing its potential as an advanced combat drone. The Milkor 380's integration into the armed forces could potentially offer new avenues for unmanned combat solutions, with implications for military strategy and effectiveness due to some of its notable capabilities, even compared to more established medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs.

The Milkor 380 could be seen as a versatile solution for the increasing importance of unmanned systems in modern military strategy, catering to Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and precision strike capabilities. It offers extended-range and long-endurance features, boasting optical equipment integration for real-time situational awareness, including high-definition, infrared, and multispectral video capabilities, along with data acquisition transmitted over remote receivers.

Advanced technologies like Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) enhance its effectiveness in maritime monitoring or extended surveillance operations. Furthermore, the Milkor 380 features an advanced flight control system that facilitates smooth autonomous operations, covering flight, take-off, and landing processes, thereby reducing reliance on human involvement during crucial mission stages.

This system allows the drone to possess an impressive maximum range of over 4,000 kilometers, more than twice the maximum range of the American MQ-9 Reaper, and operate continuously for up to 30 hours, surpassing the Turkish Bayraktar TB-2, while maintaining speeds between 110 to 150 kilometers per hour.

With a length of 9 meters and a wingspan of 18.6 meters, the Milkor 380 balances maneuverability and payload capacity. The aircraft's design incorporates five hardpoints, enabling the interchangeability of podded electronic warfare solutions (including electronic countermeasures, also known as ECMs), weapon systems, and external containers, enhancing its adaptability to various mission requirements. Its airframe design ensures extended endurance at medium altitudes, improving performance across different weather conditions.

The Ground Control Station (GCS) comes in two versions: the Strategic GCS (SGCS) for fixed office installations and the tactical GCS (TGCS) for rapid deployment scenarios, allowing for operational flexibility and mobility.

Payload configurations include underbelly and wing hardpoints, accommodating payloads weighing up to 400 kilograms. The underbelly hardpoint allows for the deployment of sensor pods, rockets, glide bombs, precision-guided munitions, and missiles. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Augmenting its operational effectiveness, the Milkor 380 is equipped with modern communication systems, such as dual redundant Line of Sight (LOS) and satellite capabilities, ensuring continuous connectivity with ground control units over long distances, facilitating real-time data transmission and mission coordination.

Additionally, the platform seamlessly integrates with existing C2 and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, therefore proposing dual redundant data links with up to 3 different platforms simultaneously. Through a built-in relay link, the Milkor 380 will facilitate real-time video streaming, audio communication, radio communication, geolocation, high-speed data transfer, and network-centric communication between all branches of any armed forces, including land, naval, and air forces.

Regarding technical specifications, the Milkor 380 demonstrates impressive performances, including a service ceiling of 30,000 feet and a maximum operational altitude of 23,000 feet, making it one of the ten best-performing medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs in the world in terms of operational ceiling.

Operating at speeds of up to 250 kilometers per hour, with a cruise speed ranging from 110 to 150 kilometers per hour, the Milkor 380 offers allows for a maximum payload of 220 kilograms (535 kilograms including fuel), supported by a fuel capacity of 315 kilograms of either 110 LL Avgas or 93 UL Mogas.

Payload configurations include underbelly and wing hardpoints, accommodating payloads weighing up to 400 kilograms. The underbelly hardpoint allows for the deployment of sensor pods, rockets, glide bombs, precision-guided munitions, and missiles. Inner wing hardpoints can carry up to 150 kg per wing, allowing for additional radar, Electronic Warfare (EW) equipment, or munitions. Outer wing hardpoints support payloads of up to 80 kg per wing, further enhancing the aircraft's reconnaissance and combat capabilities.

The Milkor 380 features a customizable nose section capable of housing various Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) and radar imaging equipment, including an EO/IR Gimbal with a diameter of up to 500mm, tailored to meet client specifications.

The Milkor 380 demonstrates impressive performances, making it one of the ten best-performing medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs in the world in terms of operational ceiling. (Picture source: Army Recognition)