KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has a new Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Remote Sensing (UAV-RS) system to obtain information for monitoring natural disasters, resources management and land clearance.
Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Wilfred Madius Tangau said the UAV-RS would improve the efficiency of obtaining information of the Earth's surface.
"This RM3 million project was first researched in 2008 to then be developed in 2013 and fully operational by 2014. The system has now clocked a total of 180 hour 4 minutes flight time.
"Developed by the Remote Sensing Malaysia Agency (ARSM), Multimedia University (MMU) and UST Sdn Bhd, the system is equipped with radar sensors, an optical sensor system and a ground control station," he said.
Tangau said the 185 kg drone could transfer data in real-time, has a service ceiling of 3 km within a 100 km radius for up to four hours.
"This system can be used by ministries to improve the efficiency of agricultural production, natural resources and environment, disasters, natiounal security and land development.
"It is in line with the high-tech infrastructure that has been developed by the government, and the benefits of remote sensing technology can be optimized to deliver high impact on the wellbeing of the people," he told reporters after launching the system at ARSM, today.