Page 22 - Defense & Security 2023 - Day 1

Thailand’s Armed Forces configuration, it can travel 700-900 km.
When configured in reconnaissance mode
with a lighter payload, the drone can stay in
are Accelerating their the air for 10 hours. The DP16 has a maxi-
mum take-off weight of 360 kg and a max
UAS Induction Plans payload of 80 kg. It can attain a max speed
of 180 km per hour and a cruising speed
of 120 - 150 kmph. The drone can attain
a max ceiling of 18,000 feet and cruise at
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is acceler- with Thailand’s Defence R&D agency, the 10,000 - 13,000 feet.
ating its plans to acquire new unmanned Defence Technology Institute (DTI) and
aerial vehicles (UAV) with advanced ca- the Royal Thai Army (RTA). Deliveries to Royal Thai Navy’s (RTN) has already in-
pabilities. The first step in this direction the RTA could potentially begin as early as ducted its new maritime aerial reconnais-
was the recent induction of Thailand’s first 2026. ATIL showcased the DP20 MALE UAS, sance craft unmanned system (MARCUS-B)
medium altitude long endurance unmanned which a wingspan of 13.4m and a maximum vertical take-off or landing (VTOL) drone.
aerial vehicle (MALE UAV). The Aeronautics take-off weight of 750 kg. It can carry a mis- The MARCUS-B, fixed wing VTOL drone,
DominatorXP is the RTAF’s first MALE UAV sion payload of 150kg along with 200kg of has a wingspan of 4.5m and a maximum
and the new assets will be based with the fuel. It can attain a maximum speed of 135 take-off weight of 60kg. The MARCUS-B
RTAF’s Squadron 302, Wing 3, Takhli District, knots and a cruising speed of 100 knots. features pure electric or hybrid gas-electric
Nakhon Sawan Province, located near 4 Endurance is claimed as 20 hours and its propulsion and can attain a cruising speed

Wing and will support combat missions practical operating ceiling is quoted as of 50-55 knots. Endurance is claimed to be
such as reconnaissance flights along the 24,500 feet. The DP20-A is a larger armed five hours. The VTOL naval drone, which is
border. and non-combat missions such as drone with four hard points, which can ac- constructed out of fully dry-carbon, is near-
searching for victims. or forest fire monitor- commodate dual-payload bomb racks and ing service entry and will be domestically
ing etc. The will also be used for Intelligence, can carry a max payload 370 kg. The DP16 is manufactured by Thai firms. The MARCUS-B
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) a smaller UAV with a 10m wingspan. It has has also undergone testing aboard the RTN’s
missions.The RTAF has purchased three six hours of endurance with full load. In this sole aircraft carrier, HTMS Chakri Naruebet.
DominatorXP MALE UAVs from Aeronautics
along with spare parts, equipment, logistics
systems, and other related systems. and
training courses. This procurement is in
line with the RTAF’s Phase 2 UAV system
acquisition project. At the previous edition
of Defence & Security, held in August 2022,
Thailand firm Aero Technology Industry
Limited (ATIL), showcased three different
drone systems conceived in partnership
22 NOVEMBER-06-2023 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/DAILY NEWS