Indonesia Introduced BLACK EAGLE, Unmanned Aircraft

JMOL. Towards the close of the year, December 30, 2019, the Consortium of Unmanned Aircraft (PTTA MALE) launched (roll out) the prototype of Nir Air Crew (PUNA) type 'Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE)' which was able to fly for 30 hours, with three missions as well: Surveillance, Mapping, Defense.

PUNA MALE was made aiming to help maintain the sovereignty of the Unitary Republic of Indonesia from the air, very efficiently and reduce loss of life (without a pilot). The need for efficient air surveillance continues to grow along with the increasing threat of border areas, terrorism, smuggling, piracy, and theft of natural resources such as illegal logging and illegal fishing.

The PTTA MALE consortium was formed in 2017, consisting of the Directorate General of Pothan, Defense and Security Research, BPPT, ITB, LAPAN, PT. LEN, and PTDI. The initiative was started by the Ministry of Defense Balitbang in 2015, where it was agreed that the draft needs and objectives (DR&O) of a vehicle to be operated by the TNI, especially the Air Force.

The design process begins with the 'preliminary design, basic design' activity by making twice the wind tunnel model and the results of tests in 2016 and 2018 at BPPT, and making the 'engineering document and drawing' in 2017, with budgets from Balitbang Kemhan and BPPT.

The year 2019 starts with the 'manufacturing' stage, which begins with the 'design structure' process, the 'Finite Element Method' calculation, the creation of 3D drawings, and detailed 2D drawings done by BPPT engineers and supervised by PT Dirgantara Indonesia. Then proceed with the process of making ‘tooling, molding’, molding and then fabricating with the pre-preg process with autoclave.

In this year also the procurement of 'Flight Control System (FCS)' is produced in Spain. The integration process by BPPT engineers and PT Dirgantara Indonesia who have received training to integrate and operate the control system.

In 2020 two (2) prototype units will be built, each for the purpose of flight testing and for testing the strength of structures at BPPT. In the same year (2020), the process of certifying military products will begin and it is expected that by the end of 2021 a type certificate will have been obtained from the Indonesian Ministry of Defense Feasibility Center (IMAA).

The integration of the weapons system on the PUNA MALE prototype was carried out starting in 2020 and is projected to be certified as getting a military product type certification in 2023.

Black Eagle

Hammam Riza, Head of BPPT
said that today (December 30) is a symbol of mastery of key technologies from one of the aerospace technologies. Hammam Riza also hopes that the latest defense technology innovations will continue to be supported by the national industry, so as to be able to meet the needs of the defense industry and at the same time reduce the import of the defense industry. Hamman representing the Minister of Research and Technology / KaBRIN gave the name PUNA MALE with Black Eagle.

For the development of Elang Hitam, the consortium has compiled a roadmap consisting of 3 major parts, namely: 1) Platform Development, 2) Flight Control System Development, and 3) Weapon System Development.

Based on the release of the Bureau of Cooperation and Public Communication, Ministry of Research and Technology / BRIN
and BPPT PR, here are the specifications of PUNA MALE Elang Hitam, which was launched today:

Aircraft Dimension
Length: 8.30 m
Wing Span: 16 m

Operational Performance
Radius: 250 km (Line of Sight)
Ceiling: 7200 m
Endurance: up to 30 hours
Payload: 300 kg

PUNA MALE Elang Hitam will later fill the needs of the Indonesian Air Force squadron, help monitor the territory of the Republic of Indonesia through air vehicles, and support the development of the defense and security industry in Indonesia. [US]