태국 해군이 운용중인 항모 HTMS 차크리 나루에벳(CVH-911)에서 자국산 MARCUS-B 수직이착륙 드론을 시험했습니다.
MARCUB-B는 길이 2.5m, 전폭 4.3m, 이륙중량 45kg이고 페이로드는 10kg이며 만재시 비행속도 37노트, 작전반경은 160~180km이고 60Ah 배터리를 장착해 비행시간은 2시간 가량입니다. 항모뿐만 아니라 수상함에서도 운용 가능하며, 시험결과가 양호하다면 2022년 대량생산될 예정이라고 하네요.
Thai aircraft carrier tests VTOL drone MARCUS-B - Naval News
The information was first reported by local defense blog AAG_th. The UAV’s subcontractors, Siam Dry Tech (SDT) Composites, which designed and will manufacture its carbon-fiber airframe, and Pims Technologies, which developed its Tactical-Based Aerial Command Control System, were present at the trials.
The MARCUS-B is a fixed-winged unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed to meet the specific needs of naval units operating at sea. Because of its vertical takeoff and landing capability, it can operate anywhere.
MARCUS-B Fixed-Wing VTOL UAV
The MARCUS-B UAV is based on the previous MARCUS drone, which was unveiled at the opening ceremony of an RTN naval exercise in March 2021. It is larger and heavier than the preceding model. It is 2.5 meters long and has a wingspan of 4.3 meters. It has a takeoff weight of 45 kilograms and a payload capacity of more than 10 kg. The new drone can fly at 37 knots while fully loaded within its operational range of around 160-180 kilometers.
MARCUS-B is powered by a 60 Ah battery, allowing it to fly for around two hours. It can be used on large navy ships such as frigates, amphibious assault ships, and carriers.
The cost of MARCUS-B was not specified by Thai officials, although Thai analysts believe it is a low-cost asset.
MARCUS-B is planned to begin mass production and enter service with the RTN in 2022 after the final trials are completed.
Author’s Comment:
In recent years, operating drones from aircraft carriers has emerged as a cost-effective approach. Operating aircraft carriers puts a strain on navies’ budgets, as the average cost of a shipborne aircraft flight raises the expense of deploying carriers. As a result, navies that employ aircraft carriers or LHA/LHDs have been experimenting with using drones instead of planes in surveillance and small strike operations.
The Royal Navy, for example, has been working on Project Vixen, which was first presented to the public as a program to test the employment of fixed-wing UAVs from Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. While conducting operations with shipborne F35s, the initiative is projected to provide affordability and cost-effectiveness. The project prioritizes air early warning (AEW) or air refueling drones over elements that can assist F35B aircraft as an attack force.
The United States Navy and Boeing have successfully maneuvered the Boeing-owned T1 test asset on a United States Navy aircraft carrier for the first time – an important step toward guaranteeing that the MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueler will integrate seamlessly into carrier operations.
The Turkish Navy has been working on converting its upcoming LHD Anadolu into a drone carrier ship, using TB3 Bayraktar unmanned combat aerial vehicles to compensate for the lack of F35B jets after the US pulled out of the project.
The UAV/UCAV trend appears to be evolving throughout the next decade, and the Royal Thai Navy’s efforts seem to be a promising effort to catch up with the trend.
댓글
댓글 리스트-
작성자백선호 작성시간 22.01.06 2006년 제가 다른 곳에 썼던 글 옮깁니다. ^^
" 태국해군은 시암(Siam) 만에서 가장 비용대효과가 높은 초계 수단으로 헬리콥터 모함과 해상초계기를 비교 검토하고 1990년 헬리콥터 모함을 선택했습니다. 처음에는 독일 브레머 불칸의 설계를 도입하려고 했는데 스페인이 자국 바잔의 설계를 밀며 레이다도 없는 중고 1세대 해리어 AV-8S를 끼워 팔아 결국 스페인의 설계를 선택했지요. 태국해군의 항공모함은 헬리콥터를 탑재하는 대형 초계함이라고 보면 됩니다. 처음부터 항공모함 기동부대를 편성해서 운영할 생각은 없었습니다. "
감시용으로는 사람 탄 헬리콥터보다 훨씬 싸긴 하겠습니다. 구조용으로는 못쓰지만. -
답댓글 작성자위종민 작성자 본인 여부 작성자 작성시간 22.01.06 해리어 제대로 운용못한다고 까이는 항모지만 애초부터 용도가 항모가 아닌..
항모니까 꼭 VTOL 드론을 운영할 필요는 없을 듯 한데, 통상이착륙 모델로 좀 더 큰 드론을 싣고 다닌다면 원래 용도에 더 적합하게 쓰일 것 같습니다. -
작성자강준구 작성시간 22.01.07 저렇게라도 활용할 수 있으면 다행이긴 할 것 같습니다. 다만, 저 정도 사이즈면, 일반 구축함에서도 충분히 띄울 수 있는 사이즈인 것 같긴 합니다.
-
답댓글 작성자위종민 작성자 본인 여부 작성자 작성시간 22.01.13 기사상으로는 소형 수상함에서도 운용할 수 있는 다목적 UAV라고 합니다. 운용시험하기엔 평갑판 항모가 최적이라서 항모를 쓴 것 같습니ㅏㄷ.