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Specifications and Technology of The Black Eagle Drone PTDI

PTDI conducted a flight test of the Elang Hitam unmanned aerial vehicle (drone) in Majalengka. Here are the specifications and technology of the drone.

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - PT Dirgantara Indonesia (Persero) or PTDI has carried out a series of flight tests of the Elang Hitam unmanned aerial vehicle, which falls under the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) category, at Kertajati Airport, Majalengka, West Java, on Monday, July 28, 2025.

According to PTDI's Director of Commerce, Technology, and Development, Mohamad Arif Faisal, this activity aims to prove the concept or proof-of-concept in mastering MALE class drone technology.

"It includes system configuration design, automatic flight control systems, and long-range communication systems," said Arif in an official PTDI press release released on Tuesday, July 29, 2025.

This series of flight tests is also part of the process to obtain official certification from the relevant aviation authorities. What technologies are used in the Black Eagle drone?

Specifications and Technology of the Black Eagle Drone

Physically, the Black Eagle drone is approximately 8.6 meters long, has a wingspan of 16 meters, and stands about 2.6 meters tall. According to indonesian-aerospace.com, the maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) reaches 1,300 kilograms, with a payload capacity of up to 300 kilograms. This allows the Black Eagle to carry various sensors and weapon systems as needed for the mission. 

According to indomiliter.com, this drone is powered by an Austrian-made Rotax 915 iS turbocharged engine that produces about 139 horsepower, and it is capable of operating at altitudes of up to 7,200 meters with an impressive flight duration of up to 24 to 30 hours uninterrupted.

Its cruising speed ranges from 50 to 180 kilometers per hour, with a maximum speed of around 235 kilometers per hour. For the takeoff process, the Black Eagle requires a runway of 700 meters, while it only needs 500 meters for landing.

From a technological standpoint, the Black Eagle is equipped with an automatic control system (flight control system/FCS) designed by PT Len Industri. This system allows the drone to fly autonomously, managing its route, position, and flight stability without direct intervention from the operator.

In addition, the Black Eagle also has a long-distance communication system, allowing control from a Ground Control Station (GCS) up to a radius of about 250 kilometers in line-of-sight (LoS). 

The structure of the drone's body is designed using composite materials such as carbon fiber and glass fiber, which are lightweight yet strong, supporting fuel efficiency and durability in the air. The GCS itself is mobile and is responsible for controlling the flight while monitoring the mission in real-time.

One of the main advantages of the Black Eagle lies in its modular and open design, allowing it to be integrated for various missions, both military and civilian. Initially, the Black Eagle was focused on reconnaissance and surveillance missions. However, in the future, this drone is designed to be able to carry weaponry, such as air-to-surface missiles. The integration of these weapon systems is being developed in collaboration with foreign partners, such as the Turkish research institution, Tubitak SAGE, using a modular approach.

In addition, the Black Eagle is also prepared to carry electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) sensors, Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), as well as other devices for surveillance missions, border monitoring, and even disaster respon

Source: https://www.tempo.co/sains/spesifikasi-dan-teknologi-drone-elang-hitam-ptdi-2054013#goog_rewarded