UAVOS and KACST (King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology) are working together to develop the next generation of Saker MALE UAS family - Saker-1C unmanned aircraft. The goal is to redesign and improve UAS features extending from engineering to operation. The UAVOS and KACST effort is focused on utilising advanced manufacturing technologies and integrating next-generation capabilities including state-of-the-art autonomy, navigation, communications, sensor processing and system of counter electronic warfare.

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The Saker Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) project, a successful partnership of UAVOS and King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabia, includes development, flying and maintenance (Picture source: UAVOS)

Using the most progressive technologies developed by two companies to date, the Saker-1C is a versatile aircraft capable of carrying diverse payloads such as SAR imagery and coherent change detection, Gyro Stabilized EO/IR Gimbal, Digital Video Data Link Tactical UAV. The innovative and technologically sophisticated Saker-1C aircraft is designed to perform long-endurance surveillance, communications relay, search & rescue operations and so on.

The Saker-1C MALE UAS has a fully redundant control system and avionics. The improved onboard satellite communication system provides an advanced direct link when flying within Line of Sight (LOS), switching seamlessly to a satellite link when flying Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) to transmit real time information. The system has been improved through testing and operation on the different Saker family aircraft.

The aircraft's payload capacity features have been increased up to 660 lb (300 kg) in comparison to Saker-1B, while also offering 100-plus percent more fuel capacity via its retrofitting long-endurance wings with greater internal fuel capacity. Equipped with fuel tanks for 30 hours maximum endurance, the Saker - 1C is able to reach an altitude of 23,000 feet (7000 m), a maximum speed of 110 knots. Due to adding fowler flaps and interceptors lift augmentation capability has been improved.

Through improved manufacturing technologies, the unmanned aircraft has a stronger body structure, allowing for quick and easy maintenance without adding to its weight. The dry weight of the aircraft has been reduced до 600kg due to using modern composite technologies.