EKOLOT Aerospace & Defence (EAD) has introduced the ZEUS PHOENIX PX-100, a new hybrid-propulsion tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for both defence and civil applications.
The new platform is part of EAD’s ZEUS family of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft and has been developed for missions such as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), emergency response, humanitarian aid, search and rescue, critical infrastructure monitoring and logistics support.
The ZEUS PHOENIX PX-100 combines hybrid propulsion with onboard power generation and offers an endurance of up to four hours, a payload capacity of 30 kg, and an operational range of 140 km. It is capable of operating in temperatures from -10°C to over 50°C and at altitudes of up to 3,250 metres.
The UAV is designed for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations and features AES-256 encrypted communications, an ITAR-free architecture, automatic waypoint navigation, multi-constellation GNSS compatibility and an emergency ballistic parachute recovery system. It can be deployed in as little as 10 minutes, making it suitable for rapid-response missions.
The platform supports a range of modular payloads, including electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) cameras, LiDAR, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and IMSI catcher systems, enabling operators to quickly configure the aircraft for different mission requirements.
A key feature of the UAV is its logistics capability. It can deliver essential supplies using either a Drop-Box system for rapid package release or a rope-and-hook winch that lowers cargo from heights of up to 30 metres. This makes it suitable for delivering medical supplies, food, communication equipment, batteries and emergency materials to remote or disaster-affected areas.
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The ZEUS PHOENIX PX-100 features an open and modular architecture designed to simplify maintenance, upgrades and payload integration. The aircraft is backed by a 12-month or 500-hour warranty, supporting long-term operational reliability while reducing lifecycle support requirements.
With the launch of the ZEUS PHOENIX PX-100, EKOLOT Aerospace & Defence is expanding its portfolio of advanced unmanned systems, targeting the growing demand for high-endurance, heavy-payload UAVs capable of supporting both military and civilian missions.
