Milkor 380

Milkor 380
Milkor 380 doing a takeoff run
Role Unmanned combat aerial vehicle
National origin  South Africa
Manufacturer Milkor
First flight 2023
Introduction February 2021
Status In service
Primary user South African Air Force

The Milkor 380 is a Medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), developed by the South African company Milkor.[1][2][3] The project aimed to develop a fully South African UAV, the largest of its kind designed and manufactured in Africa, with all components built in-house.The maiden flight was on 19 September 2023.[4]

The UAV has an operational range exceeding 2,000 kilometers, making it well-suited for long-range missions such as border surveillance, maritime patrols, and combat operations, featuring five hardpoints for various weapons and reconnaissance payloads.

The MA80 demonstrator conducted its maiden flight in 2017. Initial prototypes of the Milkor 380 were produced using a composite lay-up process. However, advancements in manufacturing techniques have led to the adoption of vacuum infusion resin manufacturing.

Operators

 South Africa

Specifications

General characteristics

  • Length: 9 m
  • Wingspan: 18.6 m
  • Maximum Take-off Weight (MTOW): 1300 kg
  • Fuel capacity: 315 kg
  • Payload: 220 kg
  • Powerplant: 1 x four-stroke, four-cylinder turbocharged Rotax 915 iS[7]

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 250 km/h
  • Cruise speed: 110-150 km/h
  • Range: 4000 km
  • Endurance: 30 hr
  • Service ceiling: 30,000 ft
  • Operational altitude: 23,000 ft[1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Milkor air systems". www.milkor.com/air-system/. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. ^ Slabbert, Antoinette. "Africa's largest drone almost ready". City Press. Archived from the original on 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  3. ^ Martin, Guy (2022-11-25). "First Milkor UAVs destined for South African use". defenceWeb. Archived from the original on 2023-12-05. Retrieved 2024-05-30.
  4. ^ Wingrin, Dean (18 September 2024). "Milkor 380 UAV ushers in a new era for South African aerospace and defence capabilities". defenceweb.co.za.
  5. ^ defenceWeb (2023-11-07). "Cabinet nod of approval for Milkor 380 UAV". defenceWeb. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  6. ^ Martin, Guy (2022-11-25). "First Milkor UAVs destined for South African use". defenceWeb. Retrieved 2024-09-19.
  7. ^ "Milkor 380 UAV makes maiden flight". 11 October 2023. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

Further reading