The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is demonstrating its growing capabilities in indigenous research and development with a display of advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems and innovative firefighting technologies. The projects, developed under the Research and Development Center for...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) is demonstrating its growing capabilities in indigenous research and development with a display of advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems and innovative firefighting technologies. The projects, developed under the Research and Development Center for Space and Aeronautical Science and Technology (RTAF), reflect the service’s commitment to leveraging homegrown technology for military, humanitarian, and environmental missions.
Kamikaze UAV - The Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Thai Air Force Academy (NKRAFA) unveiled its Kamikaze Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, designed for suicide-attack and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) missions. These UAVs are purpose-built for medium- and long-range precision strikes on strategic military targets such as radar stations, armored vehicles, and airfields. The KB-5E variant carries a 5 kg warhead with a 150 km range, powered by electric propulsion and weighing 25 kg. The KB-10G variant carries a 10 kg warhead with a 500 km range, using gasoline propulsion and weighing 40 kg. Application: Long-range SEAD, anti-radar, and high-value target engagement.

Hybrid Gasoline-Battery Drone for Disaster Prevention
A separate project, also developed by the RTAF’s research center, focuses on a hybrid gasoline-battery powered multi-rotor drone for disaster prevention and relief missions. This unmanned aerial system is equipped with an autonomous control unit and a modular payload bay that can be reconfigured for different missions, including cargo delivery and winch-based operations. The drone is part of the RTAF’s broader effort to integrate advanced autonomous systems into national disaster management frameworks, supporting civilian agencies during floods, wildfires, and other emergencies.

Military Transport and Disaster Relief UAV
The Multipurpose Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) is designed for military transport and disaster relief operations. The hybrid gasoline-battery powered drone uses a composite airframe and features autonomous flight control with obstacle avoidance systems. Capable of carrying payloads of up to 50 kg, the aircraft can operate for at least 60 min with a minimum range of 5 km. The modular design allows multiple payload configurations for tasks such as cargo delivery, surveillance, or sensor deployment. Meeting Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4–6, the platform was fully developed and tested to RTAF military standards.
In a significant move for South Asian air power dynamics, the United States State Department has approved a Foreign Military…
The flare-up of hostilities along the Thai-Cambodian border earlier this week has provided military analysts with the first high-intensity operational…
In a move that significantly alters the strategic calculus of the Central Pacific, the People's Republic of China is reportedly…
Leonardo, the Italian aerospace and defense firm, reaffirmed its commitment to the Philippines' long-term capability development and modernization goals. In…
The U.S. Navy recovered the two aircraft that crashed into the South China Sea earlier this year while operating off…
Airbus Defence and Space has entered into a new collaboration with global chocolate producer Barry Callebaut to provide satellite-based monitoring…
The Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) has selected Thales to strengthen air traffic surveillance in the southern Johor Bahru…
In a significant statement to the Dewan Negara, Malaysia’s Senate, the nation’s Defence Ministry has outlined a comprehensive and long-term…
Rotron Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with LIG Nex1 to collaborate on the development and integration of unmanned…
MAAS Aviation has extended its multi-year aircraft painting agreement with easyJet, continuing a partnership that began with a new programme…
Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have carried out an air-to-air autonomous weapon engagement using an MQ-28 Collaborative…
Less than ten days after the official launch of Leonardo’s Michelangelo Security Dome, the advanced integrated defence system, the company…
The Australian government will allocate A$18 million (₱699.7 million) for civil maritime investment in the Philippines starting next year.According to…
In a striking demonstration of strategic agility and financial robustness, Vietjet Aviation JSC has achieved an unprecedented milestone within the…
In a move that highlights the increasingly global nature of defence supply chains, a United Kingdom-based subsidiary of Raytheon has…
The United States State Department has approved a significant Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Bahrain, authorising a sustainment…
The Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) is set to significantly expand its inventory of precision-guided munitions following the United…
The tenuous peace along the Dangrek Mountains has been shattered this week, marking the most significant escalation in the Thai-Cambodia…
The already volatile security environment in the Asia-Pacific region has witnessed a serious escalation following claims by Tokyo that a…
Semi Conductor Devices (SCD), a defence technology company specialising in cooled and uncooled infrared detectors, has received a strategic contract…
Orbit Communication Systems has received an order worth about USD 7.5 million from a major US aircraft manufacturer that also…
Airbus has closed the transaction with Spirit AeroSystems for the acquisition of industrial assets dedicated to its commercial aircraft programmes.…
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto announced in Jakarta on Friday (Dec. 5) that the government plans to procure 200 helicopters starting…
The Organising Committee of the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX 2026) has signed an agreement with Al…
Space is no longer a distant frontier — it is the future of defence, communications, mobility, and economic growth. The…
Amidst the crisis caused by the cancellation of thousands of flights over the last week by IndiGo, India’s Directorate General…
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) company EHang has completed unprecedented point-to-point urban flights of its EH216-S pilotless eVTOL, in the city…
Archer Aviation has revealed its plans for a Miami metropolitan area based air taxi network. The company's goal is to…
Eve Air Mobility has selected BETA Technologies to supply electric pusher motors for its conforming prototypes and production aircraft. The…
The Department of National Defense held the fourth iteration of its Cyber Exercise, or CYBEX 2025, to strengthen the country’s…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.