EDGE QX-6

History of the EDGE QX-6

The UAE's EDGE Group wants a piece of the profitable drone market. They recently launched a new drone called "QX-6" at the 2021 Dubai Air Show. This drone is designed for carrying cargo.

The QX-6 has a simple four-point landing gear and uses three-blade rotors for flying. It weighs 500 kg, is powered by four piston engines, and can carry up to 150 kg of cargo for four hours.

It can also carry loads under its body for larger cargo. The QX-6 is meant for both military and civilian use. In civilian operations, it can help with humanitarian efforts and supply the oil and gas industry. In the military, it can be used to resupply troops in dangerous areas without risking a pilot's life and presenting a smaller target for ground attacks.

Specification

Foundation

Year of Service: 2021

Origins: United Arab Emirates

Status: Cancel.

Production: 1

Operator: United Arab Emirates

Empty Wgt: 1,102 lb (500 kg)

Installed: 4 x Conventionally-powered piston engines driving three-bladed rotor units.

Roles

Close Air Support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Special Mission: Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC)

Extraction of wounded combat or civilian elements using specialized shipboard equipment and available internal volume or external carrying capacity.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

Transportation

General transport function for moving supplies/cargo or people (including casualties and VIPs) out of range.

Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), reconnaissance

Monitor ground targets/target areas to assess surrounding threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.

X-Plane (development, prototype, tech demo)

Aircraft designed for prototyping, technology demonstration, or research/data collection.

Unmanned ability

Aircraft designed (or later developed) have inherent unmanned capabilities and can fill a variety of battlefield roles.

Notable Features

Vertical Takeoff/Landing (VTOL)

The series has the tactical capability of vertical take-off and/or landing, a characteristic usually associated with helicopters.

Radar capability

Houses may house (via specialized variants) radars for searching, tracking, and attacking enemy elements.

Multi-engine

Include two or more engines to improve survivability and/or performance.

Sturdy aircraft frame

The inherent ability of the airframe to take significant damage.

Inner Bay

Hull volume includes space for internal weapons or special mission equipment.

Operation Lakes

Able to operate over the ocean and survive certain harsh marine environments.

Extended Access

The design includes features to facilitate loading/unloading of cargo/people from the aircraft.

No action

The design features the ability to fly without a pilot, with actions controlled by onboard programming and/or ground operators.

Autonomous operation

The design features autonomous flight operations through artificial intelligence or onboard pre-programming.

CAMERA EQUIPMENT

Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.