Greece’s First Unmanned Aerial Vehicle “Archytas” Ready for Service

Greece’s first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) called “Archytas” is almost ready to start flights over the Greek islands and the border regions.

The UAV is expected to substantially upgrade Greece’s defense as a whole while it will also join civil protection services. It will be used for surveillance of the country’s land and sea borders, but it can also be used for commercial purposes.

The UAV is the product of cooperation between Greek companies EFA Group and Ucandrone PC with the research teams of the Hellenic Navy, Hellenic Aerospace Industry, and the Universities of Thessaloniki, Thessaly, and Thrace.

The program is fully funded by the Ministry of Finance.

The Minister of Finance, Christos Staikouras, recently highlighted that “the effort is ongoing and expanding so that our country enters the international arena as a certified designer and producer of high and innovative technology products.”

For his part, Development Minister Adonis Georgiadis pointed out: “The Hellenic Aerospace Industry can play a leading role in the critical field of high technology, something that seems to be the future of the way…countries defend themselves.”

Archytas unmanned aerial vehicle is using F-35B technology

Greek experts say that Archytas is using technology employed by the U.S. in the unique fifth-generation fighter, the F-35B, which can take off and land vertically.

According to Jane’s Defense, the UAV uses one engine driving a pusher propeller for horizontal flight. The VTOL capability is provided by four electrically powered propellers located on the longitudinal beams connecting the wings with the negative-V tail.

The Archytas features landing gear in the form of four struts designed to maximize flight endurance by producing minimal drag.

The UAV, which will have multiple roles, could be used by the Armed Forces as well as Civil Protection agencies.

It would be used for surveillance, security, and more specialized missions, and “will be an ‘Eye in the Sky’, whose technological features will enable officers on the ground to get all the information they need,” said Kyros Yakinthos, professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, who is in charge of the project.

The project has been named after the Ancient Greek philosopher, mathematician, astronomer, statesman, and strategist, Archytas, who was a scientist of the Pythagorean school and famous for being the reputed founder of mathematical mechanics, as well as a good friend of Plato.