Lipan M3

History of the Lipan M3

The Lipan M3 is an Argentine-made unmanned aerial system (UAS) primarily used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. Notably, it is the first of its kind developed in South America. This UAS features a conventional design with a straight body, dual-arm tail, and non-retractable landing gear. Its operational capabilities include a top speed of 105 mph, a range of up to 25 miles, and a 5-hour mission duration, with the ability to fly at altitudes of up to 6,500 feet.

Furthermore, the Lipan M3 can be programmed to follow preset waypoints or controlled manually during takeoff and landing. An advanced variant known as the "XM4" offers improved autonomy, including takeoff and landing maneuvers. The Argentine Navy also utilizes a similar UAS called "Guardian," which sacrifices speed and altitude for an extended range.

In summary, the Lipan M3 is a South American innovation in unmanned aerial systems, designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its design is straightforward and has been adopted by various military branches, offering both manual and automated control options. Additionally, there are advanced versions and variants with unique capabilities, showcasing Argentina's contribution to military drone technology.

Specification

Basics

Years in Service: 2014

Origins: Argentina

Status: Active.

Production: 150

Manufacturer: Ejercito Argentino - Argentina

Carrier: Argentina; Egypt

Roles

Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scouts

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

Unmanned

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

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 11.6 feet (3.55m)

Width/span: 15.1 ft (4.60m)

Cured weight: 66 lbs (30kg)

MTOW: 132 lbs (60kg)

Wgt Difference: +66 pt (+30 kg)

Main Aircraft Structure

Monoplane

Designed to use a single main wing main aircraft; this is the most popular arrangement of main aircraft.

Shoulder

The main aircraft is mounted on the upper part of the fuselage, usually on an imaginary line that intersects the pilot's shoulders.

Straight

Floor plans involve the use of simple, straight main plan elements.

Performance

Installed: 1 engine, driving a two-bladed propeller unit in a thruster configuration.

Maximum speed: 106 km/h (170 km/h | 92 knots)

Maximum: 6,562 feet (2,000 m | 1 mile)

Area: 25 km (40 km | 74 nautical miles)

VARIANTS

XM4 - Improved model with advanced automatic functions. "Guardian" - a project of the Argentine Navy.