Nigeria’s Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has built a rifle-armed hexacopter drone to perform surveillance and conduct precise combat strikes.
The drone, which was displayed at the African Air Forces Forum in Lagos, can climb to an altitude of 400 meters and cover 40 kilometers in 40 minutes. The name, “hexacopter,” comes from its six arms, a design that supports an array of features.
The drone was made from about 70% local components, including hardware and software, reflecting a goal of self-sufficiency championed by the institute.
“This is not just about building drones,” Professor M. Alimony, AFIT’s director of research and development, told The Guardian newspaper. “It’s about developing the ecosystem and capacity for Nigeria to respond to its own security and technological needs.”
The hexacopter has integrated GPS, autopilot, communication and imaging systems. Its configuration supports operations including intelligence gathering and limited combat engagements.
AFIT displayed several other tools including a ”smart mini spy vehicle” used for intelligence operations, a search and rescue device, and an unmanned vehicle for ground operations, Military Africa reported. The institute said it is focused on creating technology that meets Nigeria’s unique security needs and allows the country’s defense sector to become more independent of external suppliers.
“Our goal is to ensure that this technology is not only produced in Nigeria but belongs to Nigeria,” Alimony said.