The Fukushima-based company invented the aircraft following Japan’s geography as the country doesn’t have a lot of flat lands, and it is challenging to operate fixed-wing drones as they need runways. As a result, Japan, as an island country, invented the fixed-wing unmanned aerial system that can land on water such as surrounding islands, rivers and large lakes.
The company exhibits two sizes of its Hamadori aircraft. The Hamadori 3000 is battery-powered, has an electro-optical/infrared camera, and can be loaded and launched from small boats. It has a 10-foot wingspan and a 6-and-a-half-foot length and weighs slightly more than 40 pounds. It has a range of about 95 miles and can fly for approximately 120 minutes at 35 knots. It can land and take off in up to six-foot waves.
The twin-engine Hamadori 6000 is twice the size of the 300-model, runs on gasoline, has a satellite link, weighs 220 pounds, and can carry payloads up to 22 pounds. It has a wingspan of 20 feet and a length of 13 feet. It has 480 minutes of endurance and a range of 460 miles at 60 knots. It can take off and land in sea states with nine-foot waves. The Japanese navy and coast guard have experimented with the aircraft but have yet to decide whether to purchase it.
