Civilian Unmanned Air Vehicle HUCAV RX-1

In numbers  Through the lens  Video

The HCUAV RX-1 is the first unmanned prototype airplane designed and built in the framework of the Research Program of EYDE-ETAK (Special Management and Implementation Agency for Research, Technological Development and Innovation). The RX-1 was designed to perform civil protection operations.

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki was the coordinator of the Program, which included the Democritus University of Thrace and MLS, Spacesonic and Intracom Defense Electronica.

The Aristotle University of Thessaloniki undertook the aerodynamic and constructional design of the RX-1. The design was realized by professors, PhDs, PhD students, engineers and students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

The RX-1 is continually on test flights. The experience gained by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki team will be used in the design of the upcoming RX-2.

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki - AERO-Flight test: K. Yakinthos, A. Goulas, P. Panagiotou, P. Kaparos-Tsafos, Ch. Salpingidou, Z. Savvopoulos, O. Rozos.

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki – KAT - Flight tests: G. Savvaidis, Ch. Salpistis, N. Pitatzis, K.Arvanitopoulos, N. Nikoglou, E. Yiannakis, M. Malikoutsakis, S. Porikis.

Technical description:

This is a high-wing monoplane with a single pusher propeller. It has a non-retractable tricycle landing system. For better aerodynamic characteristics of the fuselage, added to the wing a "Wingtip device" to improve fuel consumption, rate of climb and significantly reduce its take-off performance. The aerodynamics / design of the aircraft has several similarities to the American RQ-7 Shadow. The RX-1 can operate day and night to transmit real-time information (such as land and sea border monitoring, aerial photography, search and rescue support, etc.).

The electronic equipment of the UAV consists of: Automatic Pilot, Day / Night cameras, IR, LRF, GPS. Video Streaming Defined IP Broadband Radi, 8Mbps full duplex bitrate, OFMD waveform, Frequency Hopping, TRANSEC and COMSEC for high security and jamming resistance.

Video streaming equipment: Ground Control Station (GCS) equipped with computer, command & control (C2) and navigation and environmental awareness software.

The maiden flight of the RX-1 took place on 4 August 2016 and lasted for 15 minutes. 

Three-view drawing

Technical specifications