UAV NavigationGrupo Oesa is supplying its flight control system for the DRIADE fixed-wing UAV developed by SE Aviation.
The French producer platform, with 820 kg of Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) is developed for reconnaissance and wildfire reaction missions.Through this collaboration, UAV NavigationGrupo Oesa brings its extensive expertise in crucial Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operations in complex environments to provide the DRIADE job with autonomy by integrating its VECTOR-600 flight control system.
The Spanish innovation will enable the airplane to perform totally self-governing objectives with a high level of safety, accuracy, and reliability.First Milestones Achieved: From Manned to UnmannedIn the initial phase, the group effectively integrated the VECTOR-600 autopilot into a manned platform developed by SE Aviation, the MCR 4S, to show its advanced capabilities to control an Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) and its conversion into an unmanned aircraft.
This setup enables the airplane to be operated either manually by an onboard pilot or remotely through the UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesa flight control system.During this stage, multiple flight tests were carried out to validate the performance of the airplane using UAV NavigationGrupo Oesas Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) systems, guaranteeing a smooth transition between manned and unmanned operations.
This turning point represents a key step towards achieving complete autonomy for the DRIADE platform.Next Steps for DRIADE: Towards Reconnaissance and Intervention Autonomous OperationsThanks to the modularity and flexibility of its flight control system, UAV NavigationGrupo Oesa is presently creating a sophisticated flight control system architecture tailored to the operational and regulative requirements of the DRIADE UAS.
This work includes the development of robust redundancy strategies to guarantee high levels of fault tolerance in line with air travel safety standards.This cooperation reinforces our dedication to delivering advanced, modular and dependable flight control solutions customized to each customers mission requires, while incorporating the necessary levels of redundancy and safety to support high functional accreditation standards, specified Laura Garca-Junceda, Project Manager at UAV NavigationGrupo Oesa.This partnership represents a brand-new example of efficient European coordination in the unmanned systems sector, where UAV NavigationGrupo Oesa plays a crucial function as a trusted specialist in guidance, navigation and control options.
It also highlights SE Aviations position as a reputable European UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) producer, just recently chosen by the French Direction Gnrale de lArmement (DGA) under one of five structure agreements to support the development of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) demonstrators from 2026 onwards.The DRIADE task exemplifies not just the shipment of robust and reputable flight control innovation, however also the close technical assistance and mission-specific advancements that UAV NavigationGrupo Oesa provides to satisfy the evolving requirements of each customer.Source: UAV NavigationGrupo Oesa