ADS A-701 « DOMINATOR »
The latest military incarnation of the Long6EZ could end up being mass-produced.


Manufacturer:  Aeronautics Defense Systems (ADS)

Type:  multi-mission Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV

Program:  unknown

Powerplant: 1 x 160 hp (120kW) Lycoming

Significant date: 2005 (first public appearance)

Israel's Aeronautics Defense Systems A-701 Dominator medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV is a Multi-mission platform that was designed for Medium Altitude Long Endurance missions. The system presents extraordinary endurance, operational flexibility and is suited for operation in different climate zones. The Dominator is yet another Rutan Long-EZ UAV design derivative, although Scaled Composites apparently had nothing to do with its development.

Powered by a 160hp (120kW) Lycoming engine, the pusher-configuration air vehicle has a swept wing, with an 8m (26.2ft) span, large winglets and an overall length of 8m. Aeronautics says the operational design, which has a maximum take-off weight of 800kg (1,760lb) including a 400kg payload, has an operating ceiling of 25,000ft (7,620m) and provides "extraordinary endurance". The design has a reported cruise speed of 90-150kt (170-280km/h), giving it a significantly faster transit capability than other rivals in the MALE sector, says Idan Shimon, Aeronautics' vice-president for marketing.

ADS displayed its Dominator MALE UAV publicly for the first time at the Aero India air show in February 2005, with its appearance underlining an aggressive campaign to promote the system for the Indian military's lucrative surveillance market. The vehicle displayed in India had a twin payload configuration comprising a MSSP-3 electro-optic/infrared ball turret supplied by Aeronautics subsidiary Controp and a high-resolution synthetic-aperture radar/ground moving-target indication sensor supplied by Israel Aircraft Industries. The Dominator also has an automatic take-off and landing capability, integrated anti-icing system and carries identification friend-or-foe equipment, says the Yavne-based company.

Aeronautics declines to provide further details on the Dominator's performance characteristics, or its operational employment, but its swept-wing design and additional underwing fuel tanks suggest a system with a likely mission endurance in excess of 24h.


Population: not known

Specs:
Wingspan: 8m
Length: 8m
Avionics: UMASTM
MTO weight: 800 kg
Max payload weight: 400 kg

Capabilities:
Cruising speed: 90–150 knots
Service ceiling: 25,000 feet

Integrated systems:
- Standard anti icing system
- Versatile sensor suite
- Auto Take off & Landing system
- Standard IFF system
- Brakes system
- Self monitoring system

Crew/passengers: unmanned

Main sources:
- Aeronautics Defense Systems (official site)
- "Aeronautics determined to dominate UAV market", (from Flight International, February 22, 2005)