Inquired from the Ministry of Defense, the full picture of the unmanned aerial vehicle aiming for mass production with a "4000km flight"

Fuji Imbac (Isogo Ward, Yokohama City, President Seiji Tanabe) has set the prospect of flying 3,000 kilometers with its own engine fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle. This was demonstrated by an aerial flight to Nishinoshima during volcanic activity. In the future, based on this knowledge, we will work on reducing the weight of the aircraft and improving the engine, and plan to increase the flight distance to 3,500 kilometers by the end of the year. The goal is to achieve a 4,000-kilometer flight with the new aircraft within two years. In light of the situation in which China, a powerhouse of flying robots (drones), is intensifying research flights of unmanned aircraft in the East China Sea, President Tanabe said, "We are aiming for mass production within three years."

The unmanned aircraft measures 2800mm in length, 6000mm in wingspan and weighs 46kg. The engine is a 75cc 4-cycle engine developed in-house, and it can use gasoline as well as kerosene as fuel. The Maritime Self-Defense Force's escort ships are prohibited from using gasoline to ensure safety.

An overseas unmanned aircraft of the same size can fly about 2,500 kilometers. Long-distance flights of more than 3,000 kilometers were achieved by reducing air resistance as much as possible, and by adopting an integral structure in which fuel is loaded in both wings. There is also the problem that it becomes difficult to balance the aircraft when it is integral, but it was solved with our own technology and know-how.

The flight performance of a small aircraft varies greatly depending on the wind speed and direction. In the flight over Nishinoshima, the data was able to fly 3,000 kilometers despite the adverse conditions of crosswinds of 7 meters and headwinds of 15 meters. Or, by improving the fuel efficiency of the engine, it can be extended to 4,000 kilometers." It is said that there are many inquiries from government agencies such as the Ministry of Defense and the Japan Coast Guard.

Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun February 9, 2022