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]

ZALA Aero Group
IndustryAerospace
Founded2003
HeadquartersIzhevsk
Key people
Aleksandr Zakharov
ProductsUnmanned aerial vehicles, Jammers
ParentKalashnikov Concern
Websitezala-aero.com

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] As of 2021, ZALA 421-08 is used by scientists in Antarctic.[4] 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.[5] In 2019, ZALA Aero developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-borne detection system that employs artificial intelligence (AI) technology to recognise objects.[6] In 2021, ZALA Aero launched into serial production the world's first light unmanned aircraft ZALA 421-16E5G outfitted with a hybrid powerplant combining an electric motor and an internal combustion engine and developed the country's first quadcopter ZALA 421-24 invulnerable to electronic warfare systems.[7][8]

In November 2021, “ZALA Aero Group” signed a contract with Panamian “UAV Latam” for a supply of seven UAV systems in 2022-23 on eight local markets of “UAV Latam”. The seller will help with the construction of UAV training center as well as within the period of preparation of local operations and other technical specialists.[9]

Company profile
Unmanned plane ZALA 421-12

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.[10] ZALA Aero is also the only company in Russia currently producing unmanned helicopters,[11] portable anti-drone EW systems and a VTOL drone.[12][13][14] The company is located in Izhevsk, Russia.

See also

References
  1. "Zala Aero To Deliver UAVs To Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan". Shephard. 2010-02-06.
  2. https://tass.com/defense/1355909
  3. "A-Level Aerosystems - ZALA Aero".
  4. "Russia's ZALA latest drones tested in extreme Antarctic conditions".
  5. "Kalashnikov creates new anti-drone gun". Airrecognition.com.
  6. "MAKS 2019: Zala Aero develops world's first artificial intelligence identification system". airrecognition.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  7. "Russia develops world's first light drone with hybrid engine".
  8. "Tech firm unveils Russia's first quadcopter invulnerable to electronic warfare systems".
  9. "Компания ZALA Aero поставит семь комплексов беспилотников в Латинскую Америку" (in Russian). ТАСС. 2021-11-15.
  10. "Беспилотные летательные аппараты самолеты, вертолет - купить". Zala-aero.com.
  11. "Russian company showcases unmanned police helicopter". RIA Novosti. 2008-07-15.
  12. "Средства радиоэлектронной борьбы". Zala-aero.com.
  13. "Zala Aero developed a new multipurpose VTOL UAV". www.airrecognition.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  14. "Cutting-edge Russian drone unveiled at MAKS 2021 air show".
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