Spaitech ARDEA

Vertical Take-Off and Landing ISR Drone

Ukraine | 2020

"The ARDEA is just one of several versatile options being marketed by the Spanish concern of Spaitech."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 11/16/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Image from official Spaitech marketing materials.

Spaitech of Ukraine produces a complete line of versatile, portable Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs), each differing in configuration and capability. The ARDEA is one of the options currently marketed by the concern and its design is centered on a general, multi-purpose Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR) approach. ARDEA joins the SPARROW flagship product which headlines other types including the SPARROW LE, COLUMBA, and ANSER types (all detailed elsewhere on this site).

The general arrangement of the ARDEA system is largely conventional, with a slim, "tear-drop" shaped fuselage housing all pertinent systems such as avionics, all-electric drive, and camera equipment. The glider-like mainplanes are seated over the fuselage and are of straight design with swept tips. Each mainplane side features a protruding housing capped by a two-bladed propeller unit while a third twin-bladed propeller system is used as a lift unit positioned dorsally on the fuselage amidships. The tail unit is comprised of a "V-plane" arrangement. The optics package is installed ventrally at the belly to provide unobstructed views of the action below and consists of a combination camera arrangement (High-Definition video / thermal imaging) electromagnetically-stabilized, twin-axial focus-controlled unit.

Because of its unique tri-propeller arrangement, the ARDEA can take-off and land under its own power, giving it an inherent helicopter-like Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) capability. Additionally, the system can be launched by hand and recovered by parachute-retarded descent making for a truly versatile field product.

The ARDEA can fly for up to 2.5 hours at speeds of 68 miles-per-hour out to a distance of 93 miles at altitudes nearing 8,200 feet. Online transmission is up to 25 miles and the system's Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) reaches 20 lb. Its wing span is 10.5 feet.

Its uses are many, covering military-minded battlefield roles such as artillery-spotting / redirection and reconnaissance, to law enforcement, humanitarian aid, and industry-related sorties.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Spaitech ARDEA Vertical Take-Off and Landing ISR Drone.

1 x Electric motor driving 2 x Twin-bladed propeller units at each wing and 1 x Twin-bladed propeller lift-unit mounted dorsally on the fuselage (for VTOL capability).
Propulsion

75 mph
120 kph | 65 kts
Max Speed

62 mph
100 kph | 54 kts
Cruise Speed

8,202 ft
2,500 m | 2 miles
Service Ceiling

93 miles
150 km | 81 nm
Operational Range

City-to-City Ranges
Operational range when compared to distances between major cities (in KM).

NYC

LON

PAR

BER

MOS

TOK

SYD

LAX

NYC

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Spaitech ARDEA Vertical Take-Off and Landing ISR Drone.

0
(UNMANNED)
Crew

10.5 ft
(3.20 m)
O/A Width

18 lb
(8 kg)
Empty Weight

22 lb
(10 kg)
MTOW

Design Balance
The three qualities reflected below are altitude, speed, and range. The more full the box, the more balanced the design.

RANGE

ALT

SPEED

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Spaitech ARDEA Vertical Take-Off and Landing ISR Drone .

None. Payload restricted to camera optics and sensors.

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Spaitech ARDEA family line.

ARDEA - Base Series Name.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Spaitech ARDEA. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 100 Units
Contractor(s): Spaitech - Ukraine

[ Ukraine ]

1 / 1

Image from official Spaitech marketing materials.

Going Further...
The Spaitech ARDEA Vertical Take-Off and Landing ISR Drone appears in the following collections:

HOME

AVIATION INDEX

AIRCRAFT BY COUNTRY

AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURERS

RUSSO-UKRAINIAN WAR AIRCRAFT

DRONE TECHNOLOGY

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks U.S. DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols US 5-Star Generals WW2 Weapons by Country

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes Global Firepower, WDMMA.org, WDMMW.org, and World War Next.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)