UAE's Edge Group launches new unmanned aircraft, effectors

An artist's impression of the UAE Edge Group Reach-M UCAV revealed at the Dubai Airshow 2023. (Edge Group)

The United Arab Emirates' (UAE's) Edge Group has showcased a range of new unmanned aircraft and effectors.

Revealed for the first time at the Dubai Airshow 2023, held from 13 to 17 November, the new product range includes fixed- and rotary-winged unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as air-launched munitions and a jammer.

“The new … products and systems cover a wide range of missions, including tactical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), logistics support, and sophisticated combat operations,” the company said.

The Reach-M is billed as a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), designed for ISR and light ground attack operations. Company specifications give it a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 1,500 kg, while it is said to be capable of automatic take-off and landing and pre-planned flightpaths. It has a duration of 24 hours and a maximum payload of 350 kg.

An artist's rendering of the Reach-M released by Edge Group showed it to be of a pusher-propeller configuration, and very similar in appearance to the Turkish-built Baykar Bayraktar TB2 UCAV.

Other products launched include the Sinyar jet-powered UAV, which is based on the Polish-built Flaris LAR01 small jet aircraft and is said by Edge Group to be capable of a top speed of 545 km/h, a service ceiling of 30,000 ft, and a payload of 450 kg. It was shown at the Dubai Airshow carrying four air-to-surface missiles on underwing hardpoints (two per wing).

The HT-100 is a rotary-winged UAV manufactured by Switzerland-based Anavia (recently acquired by Edge Group) that can carry 65 kg for up to six hours at a speed of 120 km/h.