VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnamese researchers are working hard in order to launch the first unmanned aircraft for military purposes in Vietnam later this year.

Colonel Do Van Lap, Director of the Viettel Flight Instrument Center, said the center was tasked to create the first unmanned aircraft of Vietnam in November 2011. Last December, the first unmanned aircraft was tested. It could operated along mountain slopes in harsh weather with the temperature of about 10oC and fog.

The VT Patrol aircraft with a wingspan of 3.3 meters, takeoff weight of 26 kg, can automatically fly and transmit real-time information and images. The aircraft is made of composite to ensure durability and lightweight.

Through the process of flight testing, experts successfully dealt with glaciation in some parts of the aircraft when flying at a temperature below 15oC degrees and humidity of over 90 percent.

VT-Patrol aircraft is capable of flying at a speed of 100 to 150 km/h, 50km distance. It is equipped with full HD infrared reconnaissance cameras which can identify and distinguish targets in the distance of 600 m.

After the initial success, the center plans to manufacture midrange unmanned aircrafts with 15-24 hours of flight time for reconnaissance and then other devices such as missiles in order to strengthen the defense capabilities of the country.

Viettel plans to officially launch the first unmanned aircraft for military purposes in Vietnam in late 2013.

S. Tung