The Bramor C4EYE (or otherwise known as Belin[1] ) is a tactical reconnaissance UAV classified as a NATO class 1 mini tactical drone with less than 5 kg MTOW. It was developed and built by C-Astral Aerospace Ltd from Ajdovščina in Slovenia.

Bramor C4EYE
Italian Army launching a Bramor C4EYE
Role surveillance / reconnaissance
National origin  Slovenia
Manufacturer C-Astral Aerospace Ltd
Status active
Variants BRAMOR sAR

It is equipped with an EO/IR/LI gyro-stabilized micro-gimbal with optical and infrared sensor, laser illuminator. The radio control and live audio / video transmission is carried over a MANET mesh network with AES encryption. The simultaneous transmission of metadata allows the integration of tactical data into situational awareness software suites (i.e. proprietary battle management system or Android Team Awareness Kit). It is also equipped with the latest generation of autopilot with GPS navigation system.

It can be used by 1 or 2 operators[2] for surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, target acquisition ISTAR, close air support JTAC i.e. missions for special operations, convoy tracking, target detection, search and rescue, first aid missions, civil defense, wildfire containment and mitigation,[3] infrastructure control and security missions.

The Bramor C4EYE has a basic operational radius of 42 km (extendable) and an endurance of 3.5 hours with daytime and nighttime flight capability.[4] and AN/PVS-7B/D, AN/PVS-14 and AN/AVS-9 compatible IR optional beacons.[2]

It is named after the European mole cricket, Gryllotalpa gryllotalpa.

Operational history

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The BRAMOR C4EYE UAS is combat proven[5] and has been operational since mid-2010s.[6]

Specifications (BRAMOR C4EYE)

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Bangladesh Army Bramor C4EYE in Victory Day Parade 2017.

General characteristics

  • Length: 0.96 m (3 ft 2 in)
  • Wingspan: 2.30 m (7 ft 7 in)
  • Max takeoff weight: 4.7 kg (10 lb)
  • Powerplant: 1 × C-Astral Brushless electric, 0 kW (0 hp)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 108 km/h (67 mph, 58 kn)
  • Range: 42 km (26 mi, 23 nmi)
  • Service ceiling: 5,000 m (16,000 ft)

Armament

  • No armament

Avionics

  • Micro-gimbal EO/IR/LI & other payloads

Operators

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References

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  1. ^ "Slovenian firm quietly provides surveillance drones to Ukraine". 26 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Bramor C4EYE".
  3. ^ "Instagram".
  4. ^ "C-Astral Aerospace". www.c-astral.com. Retrieved 2021-05-07.
  5. ^ "Bramor - Esercito Italiano".
  6. ^ https://daomag.it/notizia/1725/debutta-in-afghanistan-il-mini-drone-sperimentale-bramor.html [dead link]
  7. ^ Dr. Max Mutschler; Dr. Markus Bayer (21 December 2020). Informationsdienst Sicherheit, Rüstung und Entwicklung in Empfängerländern deutscher Rüstungsexporte [Information service Security armaments and development in recipient countries German arms exports] (PDF) (Report) (in German). Bonn International Center for Conversion. p. 14. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  8. ^ Droni: Dossier sugi APR militani italiani (PDF), Osservatorio Sulle Spese Militari Italiane.
  9. ^ a b "Montenegro, Slovenia agree joint Belin UAS procurement". Janes.com. 31 August 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  10. ^ European Security and Defence Press Association (12 January 2021). "C-Astral Aerospace upgraded drones at Cyprus-based Joint Rescue Coordination Center". Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 12 January 2021.
  11. ^ "Cameroon Army receives Bramor C4EYE drones from C-Astral". 11 November 2021.
  12. ^ "Slovenian firm quietly provides surveillance drones to Ukraine". 26 October 2023.