Milkor 380 South African Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Milkor 380
Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Other
Basic Information
Name
Milkor 380 South African Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Designation
Milkor 380
Alternate Designation
Milkor 380
Equipment Type
Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Manufacturer
Milkor
Date of Introduction
2023
Description
The Milkor 380 South African Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) represents a significant achievement in African defense technology, serving as the largest indigenous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed and manufactured on the continent. The Milkor 380 represents a mature MALE platform that successfully demonstrates African technological capability in modern unmanned systems. With operational service commencing in the South African Air Force and production ramping to meet projected demand, the system establishes a credible export option for nations seeking indigenous or non-Western UAV solutions. Strategic sensor partnerships with Hensoldt and Hanwha position the platform to compete effectively in international markets, while the concurrent development of the larger Milkor 780 signals Milkor's commitment to expanding its product portfolio across the UAV spectrum. As geopolitical pressures continue to fragment global defense supply chains, the Milkor 380's ITAR-free status and proven capability may accelerate adoption among African, Middle Eastern, and non-aligned nations seeking alternatives to established Western or Israeli platforms.
Air & Air Defense Specifications
Engine
turbocharged (4-cyl piston)
Max Speed
250.0 km/h
Cruise Speed
110.0 km/h
Range
4000.0 km
Endurance
30.00 hrs
Service Ceiling
9144 m
Wingspan
18.60 m
Payload Capacity
220 kg
System
Alternate Designation
Milkor 380
Type
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Manufacturer
Milkor
Payload Capacity
220 kg
Hardpoints
The Milkor 380 accommodates five hardpoints distributed across the airframe: two on each wing and one ventral station. This distributed architecture enables modular payload configuration tailored to specific mission requirements.
Sensor Suite
The primary payload bay, located forward in the fuselage, houses electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) gimbals for day and night surveillance. Milkor has integrated Germany's Hensoldt ARGOS II HDT airborne observation system, which includes laser designator capabilities for precision targeting. This sensor package provides high-definition multispectral video, low-light television, mid-wave and long-wave infrared imaging, and laser rangefinding functionality.
All-Weather Reconnaissance
Recent advancements include integration of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) payloads for all-weather, day-and-night reconnaissance and mapping. In June 2025, Milkor signed a Memorandum of Understanding with South Korean company Hanwha Systems to integrate active electronically scanned array (AESA) SAR technology, enabling ground and maritime moving target indication (GMTI/MMTI) capabilities. This enhancement provides high-resolution imaging regardless of weather or visibility conditions.
Maritime Configuration
For naval surveillance applications, Milkor has partnered with Aerodata AG to develop the AeroForce 380 variant, integrating dedicated maritime radar, Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder monitoring, and dedicated EO/IR gimbals for surface vessel detection and tracking.
Modular Systems
The platform accommodates signals intelligence (SIGINT) and electronic warfare (EW) pod integration, expanding its utility beyond traditional ISR to include electronic warfare collection, jamming, and communications intelligence missions.
Command and Control
The Milkor 380 relies on a sophisticated autonomous flight management system enabling automatic takeoff and landing, reducing operator workload during complex missions. The ground control station (GCS) is modular, supporting both fixed and mobile configurations for operational flexibility.
Communication Systems
The platform utilizes a Relayed Line-of-Sight (RLOS) communication architecture extending operational control range significantly beyond direct radio link limitations. Dual-redundant line-of-sight (LOS) communication systems maintain contact with the control unit for up to 250 km. For extended-range missions, the platform offers optional satellite communication (SATCOM) capability, enabling beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) operations exceeding 4,000 km.
Mission Autonomy
Onboard systems support autonomous waypoint navigation, preprogrammed loiter patterns, and trajectory management, reducing real-time operator intervention while maintaining mission flexibility for dynamic retargeting.
Landing Gear
Retractable tricycle
Dimensions
Length
9.0 m
Height
INA
Wingspan
18.6 m
Maximum Takeoff Weight
1,500 kg
Automotive
Engine Name
Rotax 915 iS
Engine Type
turbocharged (4-cyl piston)
Engine Power
INA
Fuel Capacity
315 kg
Fuel Type
Runs on 110LL Avgas or 93UL Mogas fuel
Maximum Speed
250 km/h
Cruise Speed
110–150 km/h
Maximum Range
4,000 m
Service Ceiling
9,144 m
Endurance
30–35 hours (Depends on configuration, fuel load, and cruise profile)
Armament
Note
The Milkor 380 is designed as a multi-role platform supporting both reconnaissance and precision-strike operations. The system has been demonstrated with multiple precision-guided munition (PGM) suites:
Al Tariq X-Series: Precision-guided air-to-ground munitions.
Halcon Desert Sting DS-16: Guided bomb with modular warhead options.
FZ602 Laser-Guided Rocket Pods: Rocket weapon systems with autonomous or laser-guided guidance modes.
In-House Missile Development: Milkor is exploring development of proprietary air-to-ground missiles optimized for the platform.
The aircraft's nose bay and distributed hardpoints enable simultaneous employment of reconnaissance sensors and precision munitions, permitting integrated find-fix-track-target-engage mission profiles during a single sortie.
Details
Country of Origin
South Africa
Category
UAVs
Air > UAVs
Filter Label
M
Classification
Domain
Air & Air Defense
Equipment Status
Active
Dimensions
Length
9 m
Width
—
Height
—
Weight
1500 kg
Operators (1)
South Africa
Something went wrong. Please reload the page.
Reload