The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) will test the US-made Chaparral vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by Elroy Air for logistics operations between its islands, the service revealed on its social media accounts.
According to the company, the Chaparral is hybrid-eVTOL UAV that is designed to carry a payload of up to 136 kg and travel distances of around 483 km to austere environments. The air vehicle is powered by a hybrid-electric propulsion system with eight vertical and four forward propellers for extended range operations, while advanced perception and robotics enable automated ground navigation and cargo handling for enhanced safety.
“We are moving forward with the initiatives necessary for the introduction of various UAVs that can perform missions such as information gathering around Japan’s coasts and transportation of supplies to units deployed on islands,” the JGSDF stated.
The JGSDF has also previously tested domestically developed UAVs for logistical operations in disaster response training exercises such as Nankai Rescue, which aimed to prepare for a potential earthquake along the Nankai Trough, located off the Pacific coast of central-southwestern Japan. These included Kawasaki Heavy Industries’ K-RACER-X2 VTOL UAV.
Meanwhile, the JGSDF’s Ground Material Control Command (GMCC) earlier announced competitive tenders for concept demonstrations of two types of cargo UAVs. The GMCC has also actively invited bids for a diverse array of projects including capability upgrades for reconnaissance UAVs, concept demonstrations for a multi-role fixed wing UAV, as well as technical assessments related to communications for disaster response UAVs.
The JGSDF is also testing the Fuji IMVAC E-5L fixed-wing UAV supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) for reconnaissance operations.
by Jr Ng
