General Information

Serial #

67100E

Part Number

1

Total Parts

13

AKA

UAV

Patents

N/A

General Description

Synthetic and metal [including copper] composition.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length

87.0 cm

Width

46.0 cm

Height

26.0 cm

Thickness

N/A

Weight

N/A

Diameter

N/A

Volume

N/A

Lexicon

Group

Aviation

Category

Aircraft

Sub-Category

N/A

Manufacturer

AKA

Draganfly

Country

Canada

State/Province

Saskatchewan

City

Saskatoon

Context

Country

Canada

State/Province

Ontario

Period

Used early 2009 to May, 2010.

Canada

The Draganflyer X6 is a Canadian designed and made unmanned helicopter that carries still or video cameras. Unlike traditional radio controlled helicopters, the Draganflyer X6 is easy to operate, making it an ideal UAV for people and industries with little aviation experience. This X6 was loaned to Constable Marc Sharpe of the Ontario Provincial Police by Draganfly Innovations for operational assessment. Constable Sharpe works actively with the UAV community and Transport Canada to improve the restrictive regulations that govern UAV use. This UAV achieved a number of regulatory milestones, including being the first government approved civilian unmanned aircraft to operate in an urban environment in North America. This example was used to obtain aerial images of case scenes by the Kenora Forensic Unit of the OPP. [Ref. 1]

Function

To obtain low-level aerial images.

Technical

The Draganflyer X6 was one of Popular Science‘s “Best of What’s New” in 2008. The magazine described the X6 as follows: “There are model helicopters, and then there are military unmanned aerial vehicles. The Draganflyer X6 is the first hovering craft that fits right in between.” With the X6, Draganfly brought sophisticated technology to the general public, making a radio controlled helicopter that is easy to use, when normally they are very difficult. Such an aircraft is perfect for hobbyists and industries without flying experience. One of the most difficult parts of operating an unmanned helicopter is keeping it steady and hovering in one spot. This is relatively easy with the X6, which has eleven sensors (three gyroscopes, three accelerometers, three magnetometers, one barometric pressure sensor, and a GPS receiver) and an onboard processor running to keep the aircraft steady. The Draganflyer X6 also has a GPS position hold, so that the operator can remove her hands from the control. Radio controlled helicopters are usually expensive to fix if they crash and are damaged, which presumably happens often it they are difficult to learn to fly. The X6 is built to be sturdy, so that if it crashes, it should not break. The frame is made of carbon fibre and folds upon impact, absorbing much of the shock. It can also be folded up and carried in a tube, so it is easily transportable. The Draganflyer X6 is also technologically significant because it was used for operational assessments. Feedback from Constable Sharpe and the OPP on how the UAV worked will have contributed to more recent versions of the X6 and other aircraft produced by Draganfly Innovations. [Ref. 1]

Area Notes

Unknown

Details

Markings

"draganfly/ INNOVATIONS INC/ Contains Model Bee-PRO Radio,: IC-4214A-/ XBEEPRO Contains FCC ID: OUR-XBEEPRO/ The enclosed device complies with Part 15 of/ the FCC Rules. Operation is/ subject to the following two/ conditions: (i) this device may/ not cause harmful interference and (ii) this device must accept/ any interference received,/ including interference that may/ cause undesired operation." and "[logo- FCC/C E" printed on small plate mounted inside nose section of UAV. "S/N# 67100E" printed inside nose section of UAV." [symbol] WARNING/ Disconnect/ Battery When/ Not In Use." printed on yellow label applied to battery connection wires. Other markings visible on components, etc.

Missing

Unknown. NB: battery not received with UAV.

Finish

Synthetic and metal [including copper] UAV is predominantly black: black/dark-grey rotors have woven textured appearance. Red, yellow, white and black synthetic covering on wires connecting camera [.3] to UAV. Black Velcro strips fixed inside nose platform, near battery connection cable.

Decoration

"OPP" decal with text and graphics applied to underside of UAV nose section.