Köpari
AeroFoundry · Brazil · also known as Köpari 360, Köpari 400, Köpari 500 · Updated
Köpari is a family of fixed-wing tactical unmanned aircraft systems developed by AeroFoundry of Brazil, built on a common carbon-fibre and Kevlar airframe and offered in three configurations for border patrol, maritime patrol and battlefield intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
Overview
AeroFoundry's current product page lists the Köpari family in three variants: Köpari 360 for border patrol, Köpari 500 for maritime patrol, and Köpari 400 for battlefield ISR. All three share the same high-end fuel-injected engine architecture and a stabilised, exchangeable electro-optical sensor gimbal, and the manufacturer states a two-person team can deploy the aircraft in about 30 minutes, with a turnaround of under 15 minutes between recovery and relaunch — figures aimed at units operating away from fixed infrastructure.
Design and capabilities
The three Köpari variants differ mainly in size and endurance. AeroFoundry's specification tables give the following figures:
| Variant | Role | MTOW | Max speed | Endurance | Range | Payload |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Köpari 360 | Border patrol | 25 kg | 36 m/s (130 km/h) | up to 8 h | >900 km | <5 kg |
| Köpari 400 | Battlefield ISR | 48 kg | 36–39 m/s (130–140 km/h) | 8–14 h | >1,100 km | 7 kg |
| Köpari 500 | Maritime patrol | 70 kg | 37 m/s (133 km/h) | up to 14 h | >1,400 km | 5–8 kg |
The Köpari 360 and 400 carry an EO/MWIR or EO/LWIR gimbal respectively, each with a laser rangefinder and laser target pointer effective under 5 km; the larger Köpari 500 carries a similar gimbal rated to just under 8 km. AeroFoundry states the family also supports interchangeable LiDAR, hyperspectral-imaging and tactical communications-relay payloads across all three variants.
Use cases
AeroFoundry markets the Köpari 360 for border-security surveillance, the Köpari 500 for maritime patrol, and the Köpari 400 for battlefield ISR, positioning the family for military, internal-security, intelligence and law-enforcement customers as well as systems and payload integrators. The manufacturer does not name specific operators of the Köpari family on its current product page.
Variants
See the specification table above for the Köpari 360, 400 and 500. AeroFoundry's page does not state a first-flight or production-start year for any variant.
Frequently asked questions
What is the range of the Köpari?
It varies by variant: more than 900 km for the Köpari 360, more than 1,100 km for the Köpari 400, and more than 1,400 km for the Köpari 500, according to AeroFoundry.
How long can the Köpari fly?
Up to 8 hours for the Köpari 360, 8 to 14 hours for the Köpari 400, and up to 14 hours for the Köpari 500, per the manufacturer.
What is the Köpari used for?
Border patrol (360), battlefield ISR (400) and maritime patrol (500), according to AeroFoundry's product descriptions.
Who makes the Köpari?
AeroFoundry, a Brazilian unmanned-systems manufacturer that also markets a "Shaheen Works" military product line.
How much payload can the Köpari carry?
Less than 5 kg on the Köpari 360, 7 kg on the Köpari 400, and 5 to 8 kg on the Köpari 500, per the manufacturer's specification tables.
