At the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2025, which began yesterday in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the Polish company Flaris, half of whose shares are owned by the Emirati EDGE group, presented the Sinyar LAR3P combat unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), built on the basis of the manned LAR1 aircraft.
Photos: MILMAG Archives
The aircraft debuted at the Dubai Airshow, held from November 13-17, 2023, also in the United Arab Emirates.
As mentioned, it is based on the airframe of a manned aircraft, which entered the market in April 2024 in two variants: the patrol LAR1 OPV and the transport LAR1 CARGO. The prototype was first flown on April 5, 2019, from Zielona Góra-Babimost Airport, and the project was initially unveiled in 2013 by the then-company Metal Master.
According to the manufacturer, the long-range UAV presented in the United Arab Emirates is designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, as well as strike operations.
It can be quickly prepared for a mission and features rapid climb capability (30 m/s) to swiftly reach the appropriate observation altitude and reduce speed for extended loitering. It is a short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft, capable of operating even from unpaved runways, and can achieve a cruising speed of Ma 0.7.
According to the manufacturer, this cost-effective platform is the lightest and fastest combat-class unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on the market. It is also easy to transport, thanks to its detachable wings, which house additional fuel tanks. This design allows for a flight endurance of up to 18 hours and a maximum altitude of 12,192 m (40,000 feet). The aircraft is powered by a single Williams FJ33-5A turbofan engine, a model in production since 2016.
The UAV has a wingspan of 8.7 m, a length of 8.3 m, and a maximum takeoff weight of 2,200 kg, including a payload capacity of 610 kg. It reaches a maximum speed of 650 km/h (350 knots) and is controlled via a satellite link.