During the fourth Azerbaijan International Defence Exhibition (ADEX), the Azerbaijan Ministry of Defense Industry is displaying the Aerostar BP Unmanned Aircraft System.

Azerbaijani Aerostar BP Unmanned Aircraft System, Baku Expo Center. (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Aerostar Tactical UAS (TUAS), one of the most efficient and cost-effective systems of its class, and a world-leading tactical UAV system. To date, it has logged over 250,000 operational flight hours flying missions worldwide (operational in 4 continents). The performance and reliability of this combat-proven system are unprecedented in the UAS industry.

Aerostar TUAS is equipped with advanced, proprietary components developed in-house at Aeronautics: the flight control system (FCC) and the control software.
The Aerostar is equipped with a large payload bay, and carries several types of payloads, including advanced, stabilized EO/ IR sensors, Laser designation, Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR)\GMTI, various electronic intelligence sensors (COMINT, ELIINT) and other advanced payloads. This capability is accommodated through the flexible control architecture.

The Aerostar is powered by a single Zanzottera 498i internal-combustion fuel injection engine, developing 38 hp for propulsion and electrical power generation. This highly reliable engine uses electronic fuel injection to compensate for altitude and temperature variations, thus enabling the UAV to run at full power for long periods.

The Aerostar system is controlled via Line Of Sight (LOS) datalink up to a range of 250km. The advanced, multi-channel Commtact data link system operates in C/L/S bands, using directional antennas on the Aerostar as well as on the ground station.