EYE SKY

EYE SKY is a light unmanned helicopter developed by Indela UAV (KB INDELA) of Belarus for reconnaissance, surveillance and target-designation missions. It carries a gyro-stabilized electro-optical/infrared payload and flies pre-programmed missions under automatic control.

Overview

EYE SKY is part of a family of rotary-wing unmanned aircraft built by Indela UAV, which also produces the larger BUR and SKY.HUNTER unmanned helicopters and the 2,500 kg-class AIR TRUCK 2500 transport platform, as well as the separate, lighter INDELA-I.N.SKY. The manufacturer markets EYE SKY as a sensor carrier for reconnaissance, surveillance, target designation and the protection of vehicle convoys, and describes it as capable of fully automatic flight from a pre-set programme through to landing.

Indela UAV's product listing and its dedicated EYE SKY specification page give somewhat different weight and performance figures — the main catalogue page states a maximum take-off weight of about 200 kg and a payload of up to 50 kg, while the dedicated specification page lists a lower 150 kg maximum take-off weight, a practical range of 420 km and an endurance of up to 6 hours at 100–500 m altitude. The dedicated page also gives a maximum level speed of 90 km/h and a cruise speed of 70 km/h near the ground.

Design and capabilities

EYE SKY is powered by a four-stroke, liquid-cooled rotary (Wankel) piston engine rated at 26 kW, burning roughly 8 litres of fuel per hour from a standard fuel reserve of about 50–52 litres. The manufacturer's specification page lists a length of 2,975 mm (3,886 mm with rotors turning), a main-rotor diameter of about 3.3 m (the catalogue page states 3.6 m), a height of 1,150 mm and a practical service ceiling of 3,000 m. EYE SKY carries a two-axis, gyro-stabilized, direct-drive electro-optical/infrared gimbal with an integrated laser rangefinder as its standard payload, and the manufacturer states it can also be fitted with synthetic-aperture radar and a laser target-designation system for guiding precision strikes by crewed aircraft or artillery.

Use cases

Indela UAV markets EYE SKY for reconnaissance, battlefield surveillance, target designation and the protection of transport columns, and states the type is intended to reduce the response time and risk associated with crewed reconnaissance aircraft. The manufacturer also describes potential future use for detecting chemical, nuclear and biological hazards, though it has not stated that this capability has been fielded. No operators have been publicly confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

What is Indela UAV's EYE SKY?

EYE SKY is a light unmanned helicopter built by Indela UAV (KB INDELA) of Belarus for reconnaissance, surveillance and target-designation missions.

How much can EYE SKY carry?

Indela UAV's product catalogue lists a payload of up to 50 kg on a maximum take-off weight of about 200 kg; a separate manufacturer specification page gives a lower 150 kg maximum take-off weight.

How long can EYE SKY fly?

Indela UAV states an endurance of up to 5 hours on its main product listing, and up to 6 hours at 100–500 m altitude on its dedicated specification page.

What sensors does EYE SKY carry?

It carries a gyro-stabilized electro-optical/infrared gimbal with an integrated laser rangefinder, with synthetic-aperture radar and laser target designation offered as options.

Who makes EYE SKY?

It is made by Indela UAV (KB INDELA), a Belarusian design bureau that also produces the larger BUR, SKY.HUNTER and AIR TRUCK 2500 unmanned helicopters.