Alap-Alap is not new in the world of drones in Indonesia, its development debut has been ousted nearly eight years ago by the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT). From the age of development, Alap-Alap can be said about the same age as the drones aka PUNA (Aircraft Nirawak) Wulung now used Air Skadron 51. As well as Wulung, Alap-Alap also powered propeller engine with liquid fuel (gasoline). The difference Alap-Alap have dimensions, weights and payload is smaller than Wulung. And after a long unheard news, on Saturday (15/07/2017), Alap-Alap latest variant back to show off in front of the media.
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The emergence of the latest version of Alap-Alap called "Alap-Alap P4" implies the readiness of BPPT to obtain Indonesian Military Airworthiness Authority (IMAA) certificate. This certificate is a requirement that the child-made drones of the nation can be used by the Indonesian military. Use for the military because this type of drone can be used for mapping or mapping can also be used for surveillance or defense. Quoted from Kompas.com (15/7), Head of Program Drone BPPT, Joko Purwono, said drones alap-alap PA4 is feasible to be produced on a large scale.
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In flight test last Saturday, Alap-Alap PA4 was tested to carry out regional mapping missions that were nominated as trajectories of Java's fast train. At 08.00 am today, Alap-alap takes off from Cakra Buana Airport in Cirebon by carrying go-pro camera to survey the train trajectory around Cirebon. The first mapping takes approximately two hours. Unmanned aircraft weighing 30 kg was re-landed at the same airport at around 10:30 pm. Then, at around 14:00 pm, Alap-alap take off again, moving toward the city of Tegal. The second stage also lasts for 2 hours. The Alap-Alap mapping results will be compared to LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) mapping performed with unmanned cruises.
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Alap-Alap has dimensions of 3.510 mm wingspan and a 7,000 feet (7,100 meters) flight altitude limit. At Alap-Alap the initial variant, the maximum weight at take-off is 18 kg, cruising speeds 101.5 km per hour, 140 km range, and endurace in the air for five hours. Payload brought in the form of gymbal video camera. While the Alap-Alap PA4 has a maximum weight up to 30 kg. Endurance PA4 can reach 7 hours, as well as 623 km distance. Although there is an increase in ability compared to previous versions, one of the challenges of deploying this drone operation is still limited during the day.