# Tsaigumi Drone UAV (drone)

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2018/02/tsaigumi-uav-nigerian-air-force-develops-new-drone/
- Published: 2018-02-15T00:19:00+01:00
- Author: Ekene Lionel

## Tsaigumi UAV

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  |   |  
 |  The new  Tsaigumi UAV was built by the Nigerian Air Force aerospace engineers |

The Nigerian Air Force aerospace engineers have designed and manufactured a new 
class of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) called _**Tsaigumi UAV**_.

This is in furtherance of the ongoing drive to produce and incorporate [made-in-Nigeria military weapons.](https://www.military.africa/2018/02/tsaigumi-uav-nigerian-air-force-develops-new-drone/military.africa/2019/03/nigerian-made-weapons)

It was designed in the Nigerian Air Force Research and Development centre in Kaduna,
in conjunction with UAVision – a Portuguese based firm.

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The Nigerian Air Force announced in September 2015 its plans to build a new UAV,
to that effect it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UAVision in 2016.

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## Tsaigumi UAV Design and Features

The new  Tsaigumi UAV was built by the Nigerian Air Force aerospace engineers and
was unveiled on February 15th at the Nigerian Air Force Base Kaduna. Tsaigumi means‘
_surveillance’_ in the local Hausa dialect.

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It is a twin-boom UAV spotting a pusher propeller configuration with a high-wing
monoplane design. For enhanced aerodynamic stability, it spots a H-type configuration
tail section.

For take-off and landing, the Tsaigumi UAV is fitted with a tri-cycle landing gears
which has two main wheels and a steerable front wheel attached to the nose of the
vehicle.

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Its maximum take-off weight is 95kg.

  |  [⌊Induction ceremony for the Tsaigumi UAV⌉](https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lKUcWUuUYT8/WoX2ChZdNrI/AAAAAAAABig/Dkt1CRW_ylU7npUb9UV22X60CXQ0RjkoACEwYBhgL/s1600/Tsaigumi-uav4.jpg) |  
 |  Induction ceremony for the Tsaigumi UAV |

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### Tsaigumi History and Development

The Tsaigumi UAV has an uncanny resemblance to the previous ‎**_Gulma_** UAV which
itself looks like the **_Amebo_** UAV.

Gulma and Amebo most likely acted as a testbed for further Research and Development(
R&D) into UAV development.

  |  [](https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4I3dJ-9704M/WoVL0yBb_oI/AAAAAAAABiE/VhH5989NaC4IXA40-QxqeEW5qmZ7c2s8wCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpeg) |  
 |  Nigerian made Gulma UAV |

Responding to online **Request for Information** (RFI) the NAF Spokesman AVM _OA_
_Adesanya_ revealed that the newly developed Tsaigumi UAV is the first NAF’s _‘operational_‘
indigenous UAV which might indicate that the  Tsaigumi UAV would be deployed operationally
in a combat theater.

  |  [](https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7zxt_iXEcXE/WoX2CRHH4LI/AAAAAAAABic/5AmkMfNRPdka8N8Yal27J9Yfv2j6pphSwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Tsaigumi-uav3.jpg) |  
 |  Tsaigumi UAV Ground Control Station (GCS) |

In May 27 2014, the NAF PR & Information Director, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas, told
news media that the Gulma could not be used in the restive North Eastern Nigeria
due to difficulties in mass producing it. He also said that the Gulma operators 
were still undergoing training.

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### Tsaigumi UAV sensors and Payload

The payload is housed in a gyro-stabilized, multi-sensor gimbaled unit attached 
underneath the fuselage. The payload pod incorporates an Electro-Optical Forward
Looking Infra-red System (EO/IR FLIR).

The EO/IR FLIR can capture high-definition videos and images for aerial surveillance
and monitoring.

The EO/IR FLIR system allows the Tsaigumi UAV to track targets, conduct surveys,
inspect and monitor objects of interest in most weather conditions.

The Tsaigumi UAV is fitted with a Global Positioning System (GPS) for accurate navigation
and geolocation. An Inertial Navigation System (INS) is also mounted on the Nigerian-
made avionics to locate and track the UAV and other object’s direction and position
in relations to the ground and sea.

Videos and images are delivered to the Ground Control Station (GCS) in real-time.

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### Tsaigumi UAV Role and Mission

The Tsaigumi UAV can be used for Intelligence, Surveilance and Reconnaissance missions
during the day or night in any weather to support counter-terrorism operations.

Using its EO FLIR pods, it can also be used monitoring border regions and as a maritime
observation platform.

The roles and missions for the Tsaigumi UAV includes:

 * **Policing Operations**
 * **Disaster Management**
 * **Convoy Protection**
 * **Maritime Patrol**
 * **Infrastructure Monitoring**
 * **Border Patrol**
 * **Search and Rescue**
 * **ISR**
 * **Geo-Spatial Mapping**
 * **Wildlife Protection**
 * **Weather Forecast**
 * **Telecast**

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#### Other UAVs in Nigerian Air Force Inventory

Nigeria has a history of operating UAV’s, the country is [one of the first in Africa](https://www.military.africa/2018/02/tsaigumi-uav-nigerian-air-force-develops-new-drone/military.africa/2017/09/the-three-deadliest-drone-powers-in-africa)
to induct armed drones into active service. Other drones in Nigerian service includes:

 1. **Israeli Aerostar (grounded as of 2015)**
 2. **CASC CH-3 UCAV**
 3. **Nigerian-made Amebo drone**
 4. **Nigerian-made Ichokwu UCAV**
 5. **Nigerian-made Gulma drone**
 6. **DJI Phantom-4 drone**
 7. **Yahbon Flash UAV (ordered)**

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### **Tsaigumi UAV Specifications**

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#### **General characteristics**

Crew: 3 Operator (Mission Commander, Pilot, Navigator)

Length:

Wingspan: 5.16 m

Height:

Max takeoff weight: 95kg

Powerplant:

**Performance**

Maximum speed:

Mission radius: 100km

Range: 1000km

Endurance: 10 hours

Service ceiling: 15,000ft

Operational altitude: 5,000ft

** **

**Armament**

none

**Avionics**

 * Day/Night EO FLIR
 * GPS
 * INS

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