ZALA 421-08M Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

The ZALA 421-08M unmanned aerial vehicle is designed by ZALA Aero Group.

The ZALA 421-08M UAV has a maximum take-off weight of 2.5kg.

ZALA 421-08M is a modernised version of ZALA 421-08 UAV. Image: courtesy of Vitaly V. Kuzmin.

ZALA 421-08M, a micro unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed and manufactured by ZALA Aero Group, is a modernised version of ZALA 421-08 platform.

The unmanned aircraft can be deployed in monitoring and surveillance of remote land and sea areas, protection of infrastructure, target acquisition, reconnaissance, patrol, traffic monitoring, and other security operations.

It can also be used for search and detection of poachers.

The ZALA 421-08M UAV was tested by the Russian Interior Ministry during the MAKS-2013 air show, held in Zhukovsky, Russia. The unmanned air vehicle was introduced in October 2013 and ordered by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in January 2014.

Russia will deploy the UAV to monitor and protect the State museum of Military History and Natural Reserve, Kulikovo Field. The UAV was exhibited during the Interpolitex 2014 security exhibition held in Moscow.

The ZALA family of unmanned air vehicles include ZALA 421-M1, ZALA 421-16, ZALA 421-16E, ZALA 421-16EM, ZALA 421-20, and ZALA 421-04M.

Design and features of ZALA 421-08M UAV

The ZALA 421-08M unmanned air system features flexible and portable design. The wide-winged UAV is fitted with two rotor blades, requires no runway for take-off and landing and can operate under extreme weather conditions during day and night.

An elastic catapult can be used to launch the UAV and it can be recovered using a parachute. The time for deployment is just five minutes.

The UAV measures 0.42m long and has a wingspan of 0.81m. Its maximum take-off weight is 2.5kg and target load capacity is 300g.

The drone can be controlled by a compact ground control station and can be additionally installed with low-power LEDs.

Payloads

The ZALA 421-08M micro air vehicle can be integrated with a range of advanced target loads and digital built-in cameras to capture high-resolution thermal imagery and video in any light condition.

Payload options include Z-08MVK / VC camcorder zoom, Z-08MIK / VC Imager and Camcorder and Z-08VK Camcorder gyro-stabilised gimbals, Z-08IK Imager and Z-08MF / Bk Photo and Video Camera.

Navigation and communication equipment

ZALA 421-08M is equipped with a variety of navigation and data communication equipment for reliable and enhanced performance. The UAV’s autopilot provides automatic flight control to reduce the operator workload. An automatic target tracking system (AC module) allows the UAV to track and monitor stationary and moving objects.

The UAV is also fitted with inertial navigation system (INS), global positioning system (GPS) / global navigation satellite system (GLONASS) and distance measuring equipment (DME).

Also featured is a built-in three-axis magnetometer, built-in digital telemetry system, navigation lights, self-diagnosis system, coded orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (C-OFDM) digital video transmitter, and a SNA radio receiver.

It transmits telemetry data and video information in real time to the ground station through a radio data link.

Engine and performance of Zala 421-08M

The ZALA 421-08M micro UAV is powered by an electric pulling engine and a 10,000mAh battery, which enable flying speeds between 65km/h and 120km/h. It has a radio data link range of 15km and can reach a maximum altitude of 3,600m.

The UAV can withstand temperatures ranging from -30°C to + 40°C, wind speeds up to 20m/s, and has a flight endurance of 80 minutes.