The Royal Thai Army has Released Images of Development of the D-Eyes 04 MALE UAV

10 November 2021

DTI and Army Research and Development Office (ARDO) released MALE UAV based-on Chinese BEIHANG UAS Technology Co.,LTD (all photos : Royal Thai Army News)

Dissemination of images and information of the D-eyes 04 medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle system research and development project jointly between the Office of Military Research and Development, Royal Thai Army, Royal Thai Army, and the National Defense Technology Institute of Thailand in the Royal Thai Army News, No. 3, 3 November 2021.

It is the latest progress of the project following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA) on December 7, 2020 and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOA: Memorandum of Agreement). On the 22nd of June 2021 for the prototyping of a medium-sized reconnaissance and surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle system for the Army Aviation Center From the published images, at least one D-eyes 04 medium-sized unmanned aerial vehicle prototype was assembled at a location that was not identified as being in Thailand or China.

DTI Thailand has cooperation with Beihang UAS Technology Co.,LTD, People's Republic of China to design the D-eyes 04 medium-sized UAV system based on Beihang's CY-9 UAS medium sized UAV.

However, from the set of images it can be seen that the model of the actual DTI D-eyes 04 UAS prototype differs from the model of the Beihang CY-9 that was displayed at the DTI-Military signing ceremony. 

They are similar to the Wing Loong family of UAVs of Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) and the CH-4 family of UAVs of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), two of China's successful UAVs in export.

As previously disclosed details, it is understood that the D-eyes 04 UAS will be supplied for Artillery regiments search for targets. Artillery Brigade, Royal Thai Army, replacing old systems such as Searcher II Israeli UAV.

But from the latest details The user unit of the D-eyes 04 UAS is the Royal Thai Army Aviation Center, which is expected to be deployed in unmanned aerial vehicle battalion The 21st Aviation Battalion, Aviation Regiment, together with Elbit Systems Israel's Hermes 450 UAV unmanned aerial vehicle previously stationed.

A prototype DTI D-eyes 04 UAS that should at least be built. Two machines for one system are likely used primarily in Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR: Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) missions, as the picture shows no indication of armed capability.

But from the requirements that indicate the ability to use air-to-ground missile systems. As a result, the D-eyes 04 medium UAV will likely be integrated with subsequent weapons systems during development and testing. This is the first unmanned aerial vehicle of the Royal Thai Army with this capability.

With the weapons systems that China developed for its UAVs delivered to foreign countries, such as the AR-1 air-to-surface missile and the AR-2 guided missile with the Semi-Active Laser (SAL), etc. 

In addition, the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) also has a project to purchase unmanned aerial vehicles at coastal bases in the amount of 4,070 million baht ($122,479,690) for UAVs of the same level as the US MQ-1 Predator, 1 system, 3 machines, such as CH-4B and Wing Loong II, China or Hermes 900 Israel.

(AAG)