From Handwiki - Reading time: 1 min| Linkall UAV | |
|---|---|
| Role | VTOL UAV |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | Linkall |
| Status | In service |
| Primary user | China |
Linkall UAVs are Chinese experimental UAVs developed by Linkall (Linkall 团队), and the two UAVs developed are both VTOL UAVs.
HK-Drone is a VTOL UAV that shapes like the UCAV in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, and the name of the Linkall UAV is also directly borrowed from that of UCAV in the movie. HK-Drone is powered by three ducted fans, one at each wingtip, and the third one at the empennage at the root of the V-tail. During the takeoff and landing, the ducted fans would act as lift engines and once airborne, the three engines would tilt 90 degrees and provide thrust for level flight.[1][2]
Smart Bee (Zhi-Neng Feng or Zhinengfeng, 智能蜂) is another VTOL UAV currently developed by Linkall. Smart Bee has a vertical shuttle shaped fuselage surrounded by four ducted fans which are attached to the midsection of the fuselage. Specification:[3]