Lihiniya MK I

The Lihiniya MK 1 (Sinhala: ලිහිණියා මාක් 1) is an unmanned aerial vehicle under development by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) and the Centre for Research and Development (CRD) as an experimental platform to test technologies for its indigenous UAV program. [1]

Lihiniya MK 1
Lihiniya MK I
Role Unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin Sri Lanka
Manufacturer Sri Lanka Air Force
Centre for Research and Development
Primary user Sri Lanka Air Force
Developed into Lihiniya MK II

During the civil war the SLAF used UAVs for reconnaissance operations. They used drones from US and Israel such as the IAI Searcher, E.M.I.T Blue Horizon 2 and the RQ-2 Pioneer. In 2010 the Sri Lanka Air Force started to build the prototypes of a new locally made UAV under the supervision of the Air Chief Marshal.

Design

The aircraft is a HTOL UAV with a high wing, twin-boom tail and a single pusher engine. The Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) developed by the CRD consists of the UAV aircraft, two ground control stations (GCS) and a mobile Advanced Ground Control Station (AGCS). The data from this UAS program is being used for the development of the Lihiniya MK II which will have a range of 100km.[1][2]

Deployments

Lihiniya MK1 deployed to No. 111 Squadron SLAF in SLAF Base Vauniya. In 2022 Remote triggering mechanism for aerial firing introduced to Lihiniya UAVs. [3]

Specifications
SLAF Personnel handling Lihiniya MK I unmanned aerial vehicle

Data from Performance Report 2018 Ministry of Defence for Lihiniya MK I Phase 2 unless specified.[1]

General characteristics

  • Crew: none
  • Max takeoff weight: 115 lb (52 kg)
  • Fuel capacity: 19 liter
  • Powerplant: 1 × Hirth 4103 two-stroke, air cooled, opposed engine, 8 hp (6.0 kW)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 60 kn (69 mph, 110 km/h) For Phase 1
  • Range: 10.8 nmi (12.4 mi, 20.0 km)
  • Endurance: 7 hours
  • Service ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m)

See also

References
  1. "Performance Report 2018 - Ministry of Defence" (PDF). Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  2. "SLAF Lihiniya UAV has conducted its test flight". Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  3. "Annual Performance Report of the Sri Lanka Air Force for the year 2021" (PDF). Retrieved 15 September 2022.
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