Practice makes perfect!! Custom-build, remote control target drones was build for target practice during a joint-force exercise for the military. With a range of 10 km, the remote controlled drone moves within the exercise terrain and portrays a realistic war scenario land target.

As artillery pounded on the African soil during a joint-forces military execise, remote controlled target drones roamed at another area exploring the land.These drones were controlled from a command post about 10 km away. 5 of them were buiild and deployed.

The time was near. You can tell by the sound of the rotors spinning in mid-air. A convoy of 3 Apache AH-64 air assault helicopters appeared behind the hills and approach the drones from a distance. And suddently, the crackling sound of 30 mm M230 machine gun echoed throughout the land and one by one, the drones were destroyed...

Hotsource ESD worked with partner Bace for this project to design, fabricate, test and operate these long-range remote target drones. From the initial design to deployment and utlimate destruction, it took about 6 months with close collaboration with all the stalk holders. After numerous testings and evaluation of different remote control techologies, high power encrypted digital RF (radio frequencies) transmission technology was selected for its long range, reliability and security features. For mobility, AC motors were utilised and was controlled by onboard digital RF receivers controllers. Electrical power are supplied by onboard AC power generators.

The result? Dependability, reliability and performance. 5 of such RCTD was designed and fabricated and shipped to South Africa. The units was assembled days before the actual military exercise and tested on site. On the actual military execise, these RCTD performed as intended and the exercise was declared  success.