Thread by @jesusfroman

TREAD 🇻🇳🇻🇳🇻🇳

According to some sources, the Vietnamese-built VT-Pigeon UAV has just begun mass production. Now that it is more than a prototype, let’s shed some light on the model:
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The VT-Pigeon UAV (as its brother VUA-SC-3G) is a product of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecommunications Group for the Vietnamese Border Defense Force.
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Both of them were born as an effort by the Vietnamese military industry to create a native UAV that could fulfill their most immediate needs in their constant brushes with China in the South China Sea. Both of them are Class I drones.
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VT-Pigeon UAV shares with the VUA-SC-3G the same main body design, the main propeller engine placed at the rear of the aircraft and both of them have the same landing gear system design.
The overall size and wingspan of both of the UAV models are very similar.
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The VT-Pigeon UAV is designed for ISR (Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) activities such as tracking targets in remote areas, mapping surveys from above, traffic monitoring and search/rescue missions.
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However, the UAV is meant to have military and defense application which have not been yet revealed. This model would complement the UAVs that Vietnam already has: Orbiter 2 (🇮🇱), Shikra (🇻🇳) and ScanEagle (🇺🇸)
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It’s allegedly able to carry out patrolling and monitoring of border areas & is equipped with an optical surveillance camera (EO Sensor) & thermal imaging camera (IR Sensor) capable of scouting day & night, transmitting high-resolution image data to the command centre.
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The VT-Pigeon UAV is designed to take off by runaway or by catapult.
The landing method is by runaway or net collection.
Maximum take-off volume 26kg
It also integrates a GPS navigation system.
It has a Gasoline engine (piston type)
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Operation range 50km (Optional 100/200km).
Operation time 3.5 hours
Maximum speed 80-130km/h
Operation altitude 1000m above sea level
Ceiling fly maximum 3000m above sea level
Wingspan 3.25m
Length 2.25m
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Its price has not been unveiled, but it is offered as a competitive UAV in both features and price with similar products in the market for the purpose of monitoring and monitoring civil activities.
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Video of a VT-Pigeon (or VUA-SC-3G) taking off and “landing” by net collection method:

https://twitter.com/i/status/1327909555359997952

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Video from the installed Optical surveillance camera (EO Sensor):

https://twitter.com/i/status/1327909807152533505

Sources: photos and information. (VietDefense & vtx.vn)
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