KZD 85
| Small target drone 1985, KZD 85 | |
|---|---|
 Start of a KZD 85 |
|
| Type: | drone |
| Design country: | |
| Manufacturer: |
Farner-Werke, Grenchen |
| Commissioning: |
1985 |
| Number of pieces: |
60 |
The KZD 85 (small target drone 1985) is a drone or a UAV (English unmanned aerial vehicle ), which was developed by Farner-Werke, Grenchen . Today RUAG is responsible for maintenance and repairs.
The KZD 85 small target drones were procured in 1985 by the Swiss Air Force for training anti-aircraft troops (Flab) in a total of 60 units. The Swiss Air Force is the only operator of the drone and has around 30 units still in use. The drones serve as targets for a maximum distance of 2.5 km under visual conditions.
commitment
The anti-aircraft troops (Flab) use the KZD for the following weapons for target exercises:
- Medium anti-aircraft gun system Oerlikon 35 mm Flab gun 63/90
- Light anti-aircraft guided missile system Stinger
The KZD 85 is used to train the gunner of the 35 mm Flab cannon in the real shot in the straightening process before training. Fighting targets with a sharp shot is trained on a tow bag behind a Pilatus PC-9 . With the Stinger , the KZD is used to practice launching the guided weapon with the Stinger launch simulator (STLS). Until the 20 mm anti-aircraft gun 54 was retired, the KZD 85 was also used for target acquisition training for this weapon. Attempts are now under way to use them as “micro target drones” for the mobile Flab guided missile system Rapier .
function
The drone is started fully automatically from the catapult on the single-axle transport trailer. In addition to the catapult, the single-axle trailer contains space for the transport of four dismantled drones as well as all the tools and equipment required for assembly, take-off and flight operations. The drone is placed on a catapult sled and the drone's motor is brought to the required speed with an electric motor - similar to a hand drill. After the petrol engine has reached the required speed and all checks have been carried out, the elastic band of the catapult is tensioned with an electric winch motor built into the trailer. When the drone pilot gives the signal, the drone attendant triggers the start. After the mission, the drone lands on a parachute, but can also make a glide landing on grass or snow (especially in strong winds).
The drone can be broken down into the main components of the fuselage, wings, vertical stabilizer and elevator for transport. It is made of aluminum, the engine originally comes from a gasoline-powered chainsaw. Inside the drone there are only the components necessary for the control in three axes as well as the thrust control and the release for the parachute and the parachute itself. The drone has no sensors or recording devices, no GPS and no transponder. The drone is only “shot” at sight. The target hits of the laser are reflected back by the reflective surfaces of the drone and evaluated by the appropriate equipment at the shooter.
Although it has been in use since 1985, no successor system is planned and the KZD 85 will continue to be used in the years to come. It is still open whether the KZD 85 with the Bodluv 2020 system will still be used after 2020.
