ZALA Aero Group
ZALA Aero Group (also called A-Level Aerosystems) is a company specialising in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development, located in Izhevsk, Russia. ZALA Aero has provided UAV systems for several sectors of the Russian government, including the Ministry of Defence, and has also won contracts to supply UAVs to foreign countries.[1][2]
Industry | Aerospace |
---|---|
Founded | 2003 |
Headquarters | Izhevsk |
Key people | Aleksandr Zakharov |
Products | Unmanned aerial vehicles, Jammers |
Parent | Kalashnikov Concern |
Website | zala.aero |
History
Founded in 2003 by Aleksandr Zakharov, ZALA Aero delivered its first production UAVs to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2006. In addition to providing aircraft for defense and military purposes, the company actively markets its products to the energy sector, and has signed a contract with Gazprom to provide UAVs that will be used to monitor over 2,000 km of the company's pipeline network. ZALA Aero has also cooperated with Gazprom's Space Systems division in a development project to use UAVs to transmit real-time video communications over satellite channels.[3]
In 2008, the ZALA 421-06, an unmanned helicopter, and the ZALA 421-08, a more conventional UAV, completed test-flying, and entered operational service. The aircraft were trialled aboard an icebreaker, participating in reconnaissance to assist the ship's work.[3] In 2009, ZALA Aero reached an agreement with Turkmenistan's Ministry of Internal Affairs to supply the country with the ZALA 421-12 UAV system.[1]
Currently, (2019) Russia operates over a thousand ZALA drones.[4] In 2019, ZALA Aero developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-borne detection system that employs artificial intelligence (AI) technology to recognise objects.[5][6]
Company profile
ZALA Aero designs and produces unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), as well as providing after-sale maintenance for their systems. The company's in-house design and production projects include a variety of systems related to UAV design, manufacture and operation, including autopilots, airframes, mechanical and pneumatic catapults, launchers, payloads and communication technologies.[7] ZALA Aero is also the only company in Russia currently producing unmanned helicopters,[8] portable anti-drone EW systems and a VTOL drone.[9][10] The company is located in Izhevsk, Russia.[11]
See also
- Aircraft industry of Russia
- Defence industry of Russia
References
- "Zala Aero To Deliver UAVs To Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan". Shephard. 2010-02-06.
- "Production". ZALA Aero.
- "A-Level Aerosystems - ZALA Aero" (PDF).
- "Kalashnikov creates new anti-drone gun". Airrecognition.com.
- http://airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/defense-security-exhibitions-news/air-show-2019/maks-2019-news-coverage-report/5383-maks-2019-zala-aero-develops-world-s-first-artificial-intelligence-identification-system.html
- https://www.janes.com/article/90829/zala-aero-pursues-ai-driven-detection-system-containerised-uav-assembly-facility
- "Беспилотные летательные аппараты самолеты, вертолет - купить". Zala.aero.
- "Russian company showcases unmanned police helicopter". RIA Novosti. 2008-07-15.
- "Средства радиоэлектронной борьбы". Zala.aero.
- http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2020/may/6259-zala-aero-developed-a-new-multipurpose-vtol-uav.html
- "Russia using drones to nab illegal immigrants". Gulf Times. 2009-01-31.