Colombia has locally developed Quimbaya medium-altitude endurance UAV.

Colombian Air Forces in collaboration with the Colombian company CIAC (Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation) has jointly developed the Quimbaya, a locally-made UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) designed to perform reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

Quimbaya drone and its command and control station shelter unit at ExpoDefensa 2021, Defense and Security Exhibition in Bogota, Colombia. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The development of the Quimbaya UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) was generated from an industrial cooperation agreement between the Colombian Ministry of Defense, CIAC and ECOPETROL with the support of the Directorate, Science, Technology and innovation of the MDN & CAMAN FAC.

The Quimbaya is medium-altitude endurance and tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) manufactured by the Colombian Air Force in collaboration with the Colombian company CIAC (Colombian Aeronautical Industry Corporation).

The Quimbaya is 4.11 m long, has a 5.4 m wingspan and a cruise speed of 100 km/h. A maximum altitude of around 3,600 m and endurance of up to 8 hours can be attained. The drone is powered by a single-engine produced by the German company Hirth Engines.

Two people could easily assemble and knockdown the Quimbaya in the field. The fuselage, wings, empennage, and tail-booms detach easily and fit within a purpose-built container that protects these components during transport or prolonged storage.

The Quimbaya has a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 70 kg and has a maximum payload capacity of 12 kg. The front of the drone is equipped with EO/IR (Electro-Optical/Infra-Red) camera manufactured by an Estonian company. The EO/IR camera provides total situational awareness both day and night and in low light conditions.

A complete set of UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) includes two drones and one ground station including a data terminal station. In the control center, the Quimbaya is operated by a crew of three including a pilot, one operator for the data collection, and one commander.