Czech defense startup 3DFENSE has presented a modular container-based production complex designed to produce attack drones in full autonomy.
This was reported by a Militarnyi correspondent at the MSPO Defense Industry Exhibition in Kielce.
The mobile production complex is designed for rapid and autonomous production of drones directly in the combat zone, which will avoid logistical delays and quickly adapt drones to specific tasks.
It consists of P30 production modules, S200 storage facility, and F5 control module, a drone control center where drone operators are stationed. All of them are made in the format of standardized shipping containers to simplify logistics.
The modular architecture allows for a flexible infrastructure to be built to meet the specific needs of the number and types of drones required to support troops, from reconnaissance to strike forces.
It is stated that one P30 module is capable of producing up to 200 drones per month, but the basic configuration includes eight of them in combination with one S200 and one F5 module. That is, the total monthly capacity will reach 1600 drones/month.
To simplify the production of drones, additive technologies, such as 3D printing, are integrated into the production cycle.
The complex is adapted to the production of three types of aircraft-type drones:
- D-18 IRON – a compact VTOL drone with a push rotor and a flight range of up to 70 km.
- D-20 Personal Eagle II is a light reconnaissance and strike aircraft with a range of up to 170 km.
- D-22 IRON is a larger drone with an increased payload and a range of up to 360 km.
The developers point out that depending on the drone model, the production time may vary: while the smallest D-18 model can produce 200 units per month, the monthly production rate for the D-20 will drop to 120 units. And the largest D-22 can only produce 80 units per month.
Depending on the tasks and payload, the drones can operate within a radius of 80 kilometers and carry a warhead weighing up to 850 grams or 1350 grams for the D-22.
According to the developers, the company provides all the necessary parts for production. One drone costs ‘thousands’ of euros, but the price depends on the size of the order.
The trend towards ‘containerization’ was also evident in another part of the exhibition in Kielce, where the Swedish company Saab presented a modular missile system with GLSDB guided missiles.
