(Dan Tri) - At the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Research Department, Air Defense Technical Institute - Air Force, hundreds of UAVs are researched, shortening manufacturing time to serve training and combat.

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Research Department, Air Defense Technical Institute - Air Force is where a team of engineers and technicians directly design, manufacture and test many types of unmanned aircraft (UAV) serving training, reconnaissance, surveillance, rescue, military scientific research and flying targets for exercises and live fire.

Here, it only takes 2 to 6 months to complete a new UAV model. This period of time reflects the unit's ability to research, design and master many core technologies in the field of military aviation.

To date, the unit has researched and developed many lines of UAVs to meet different mission requirements. Among them, the highlight is the line of target UAVs flying to serve training, exercises and live fire for the air defense and air force.

These devices are capable of simulating many combat scenarios with stable flight trajectories, from low flight, high flight to high speed and long distance.

A typical example is the UAV model M400-CT2 (aircraft serving live fire), designed to be compatible with the aiming and fire control system of the Su-30MK2 fighter, meeting the requirements of being a flying target in interception exercises.

Thanks to the optimal design of structure and load carrying capacity, this UAV model can also be converted into a combat UAV when necessary.

In addition, the Institute also develops multi-mission aircraft. In particular, the RAV-80 model (aircraft serving reconnaissance and surveillance), is equipped with an electro-optical camera system, allowing accurate target detection and tracking, while transmitting real-time data to the command center.

In the small aircraft segment, engineers have successfully created an FPV UAV (unmanned aircraft controlled from a first-person perspective), with high maneuverability, integrating artificial intelligence and edge processing technology, opening the way for the development of autonomous or semi-automatic UAVs.

In addition, the Institute also researches VTOL UAV models (unmanned aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing) to serve rescue and rescue missions, especially in natural disaster conditions when many areas are divided.

"These UAVs can take off vertically, without a runway, helping to quickly access isolated areas," said Senior Lieutenant Colonel Vu Hoa Binh - Head of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Department.

Behind these defense technology products is a team of officers and engineers who have been diligently researching and testing for many years.

In particular, party members play a core role in many important stages, from aerodynamic design and body structure to the development of control algorithms, electronic systems and software autonomy.

The results proven in practice have gradually realized the goal of mastering technology and developing defense products bearing the mark of Vietnamese intelligence.

At the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Research Department, Major Pham Duy Hau and Senior Lieutenant Colonel Dao Minh Tien are two of the party members who directly contributed to that journey.

Major Pham Duy Hau, currently in charge of designing the control system, sensors, power and drive circuits, to ensure the UAV operates stably in all flight conditions. This is considered the "brain" of the aircraft in the UAV research and production system.

The task of this department is to design electrical circuits, power systems, sensors, control software and automatic flight algorithms - factors that determine the device's ability to operate stably and accurately.

At the research room, he carefully checked each circuit and programming command line of a newly completed UAV model, preparing to enter the testing phase for training and regional reconnaissance.

His hands check the connections with specialized tools, his eyes follow each parameter displayed on the screen. Occasionally, he turns to the computer to check the control algorithm, comparing it with sensor and board data.

"Every small detail can affect the flight results: Whether the plane can take off or not, how long it can fly, how far it can fly. Sometimes we have to rewrite the code and disassemble it dozens of times just to find a very small error," Mr. Hau shared.

After completing the calibration, he transferred the product to the assembly workshop to continue the finishing steps.

According to the male engineer, a drone is like a complex living organism, in which each part plays an important role. Even a small deviation can affect the entire flight journey.

Graduating in the Electrical - Control major after 6 years of study, Mr. Hau continued to do in-depth research on dynamics and aviation before accepting his assignment at the Institute in 2022.

In the early days, he had to reacquaint himself with almost the entire UAV system from structure, sensors to control software.

"The theory at school is just the foundation. When it comes to reality, technology changes very quickly, I have to work and study at the same time to keep up," he said.

After nearly a year, he began to participate in research on the control algorithm - the "brain" of the UAV. In addition, he also designed the hardware board, programmed the firmware (software) and integrated it into the autopilot system, which determines the UAV's autonomy, orientation and stability in complex flight conditions.

According to Mr. Hau, in the past many sensors and circuit boards had to be imported, but now the research team has gradually autonomously designed and produced them domestically. This helps improve security, upgrade flexibility and shorten manufacturing time.

"Mastering both software and hardware helps us control the entire research - production cycle, creating a foundation for developing UAV lines with the Institute's own imprint," he said.

To him, each completed UAV is not only a technical product but also the pride of military scientists.

"The deeper I research, the more proud I feel to be a small part of the task of protecting the Fatherland's sky," he shared.

About 300m from the research room, at the design-assembly workshop, Lieutenant Colonel Dao Minh Tien and engineers checked the design parameters of a new UAV model.

Mr. Tien graduated as an aeronautical engineer specializing in aircraft and engines at the Air Defense and Air Force Academy. After graduating, he spent 4 years teaching at the Faculty of Aeronautical Engineering before switching to research work.

"If I mainly taught theory before, when I switched to research, I had to turn all that knowledge into practical products," he said.

In the research team, he is in charge of aerodynamic simulation and designing the UAV body and wing structure.

The work starts from determining technical and tactical requirements such as speed, flight ceiling, operating time and specific mission of the device (reconnaissance, training, or being a target for anti-aircraft fire, for air-to-air missiles blocking aircraft doors). From there, the team built the overall shape and calculated the body-wing ratio to optimize lift and reduce drag.

After completing the preliminary design, the model is entered into aerodynamic simulation software to evaluate flight performance. If the requirements are met, the team moves on to the prototype manufacturing phase.

Engineers in turn built the fuselage, wings, landing gear, engine installation, electronic systems and control equipment. The UAV is then tested on the ground before conducting test flights.

"Just a few millimeters of error during the manufacturing process can cause the plane to fly unstable," Mr. Tien said.

His research team is currently applying composite, glass fiber and carbon fiber technology combined with vacuum molding techniques to manufacture UAV bodies and shells, helping to reduce weight but still ensure structural durability.

According to him, in the early days of research, many tested products did not meet the requirements. However, through each test, the team accumulates more experience and perfects the technology.

"The moment of seeing the plane I designed take off stably in the sky is a very special feeling," he said.

According to Lieutenant Colonel Vu Hoa Binh, Lieutenant Colonel Dao Minh Tien and Major Pham Duy Hau are two key officers in the unit's UAV research and development.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Hoa Binh and Lieutenant Colonel Dao Minh Tien taught aviation engineering for many years before switching to researching and manufacturing UAVs. He is in charge of aerodynamic design and body structure, and his colleagues gradually master the manufacturing process using composite materials and carbon fiber, contributing to optimizing weight and improving product durability and stability. This is one of the decisive stages for the quality of the UAV researched and developed by the Institute.

Meanwhile, Major Pham Duy Hau is in charge of designing the control system, sensors and flight control software - one of the most complex items of the UAV.

Gradually mastering domestic circuit boards, sensors and software has helped reduce dependence on imported equipment, shorten research time, and improve security and proactiveness in developing new UAV lines.

"The two comrades are exemplary party members, with strong political courage, a high sense of responsibility and good professional capacity. These are the unit's leading experts in the field of research and development of unmanned aerial vehicles," Senior Lieutenant Colonel Binh assessed.

Lieutenant Colonel Vu Hai Binh said that party members currently account for about 95% of the troops of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Research Department. This is the core force in researching, designing, manufacturing UAVs as well as performing professional tasks.

"It can be said that party members are the political core of the unit, always pioneering, exemplary and contributing to leading all aspects of work," Senior Lieutenant Colonel Binh emphasized.

According to him, the achieved results come not only from the capacity of each officer but also from the leadership and direction of the Party Committee and commanders at all levels. The unit always identifies research and technology mastery as its key tasks.

To encourage cadres and party members to promote initiatives and scientific research, the unit always creates conditions for cadres to self-study and research. Along with that, officers are sent to participate in domestic and foreign training courses, testing sessions, drills and professional training programs to improve their qualifications and update new technology.

Immediately after the Politburo issued Resolution No. 57 on breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, the unit implemented many key research programs.

One of the outstanding results is the successful research and manufacture of an automatic driving system, integrating artificial intelligence and inertial navigation technology. The system allows the UAV to maintain mission capability even when control signals or satellite positioning signals are electronically suppressed.

"The results of practical testing and rehearsals show that the system operates effectively in the electronic warfare environment, highly appreciated by leaders at all levels. Currently, this technology continues to be perfected and integrated into UAV lines researched and developed by the Air Defense Technical Institute - Air Force," he said.

In the period 2025-2030, the unit will continue to master core technologies in UAV development, promoting the application of artificial intelligence, autonomous control, new materials and advanced manufacturing technology.

Along with that is building a team of young scientists, especially party members with high professional qualifications, capable of undertaking complex research tasks. Thereby contributing to building a modern, autonomous defense industry and meeting the requirements of protecting the Fatherland in the new situation.

Content: Nguyen Ngoan