Greece’s first VTOL UAV shown at ‘Parmenion-21′ exercise

Greece's Archytas UAV being offered to Deputy Minister of National Defence Nikolaos Chardalias in the course of the latest ‘Parmenion-21' train. (Hellenic MND)

The prototype of Greece's first vertical take-off and touchdown (VTOL)/fixed-wing unmanned aerial automobile (UAV), known as the Archytas, was offered to the nation's deputy minister of nationwide defence, Nikolaos Chardalias, in the course of the closing part of the ‘Parmenion-21' joint navy train, held on the island of Chios between 24 September and 1 October.

{A photograph} revealed by the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence (MND) on 30 September confirmed Chardalias inspecting the UAV, which is the product of co-operation between Greek corporations EFA Group and Ucandrone PC with the analysis groups of the Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Aviation Industry, and the Universities of Thessaloniki, Thessaly, and Thrace.

Named after the traditional Greek thinker, politician, and engineer Archytas Tarantinos, the UAV makes use of one engine driving a pusher propeller for horizontal flight. The VTOL functionality is offered by 4 electrically powered propellers situated on the longitudinal beams connecting the wings with the negative-V tail. The Archytas options touchdown gear within the type of 4 struts designed to maximise flight endurance by producing minimal drag.