ZALA 421-22

ZALA 421-22 is a fault-tolerant electric octocopter developed by Russia's Zala Aero Group for aerial survey, laser scanning and cargo delivery. It launches and lands vertically without a prepared site and is built to keep flying even if one of its eight motors fails.

Overview

Zala Aero designed the 421-22 as a rotary-wing complement to its larger 421-16 fixed-wing reconnaissance family, sized about 20% larger than its earlier 421-21 octocopter while folding into a 100 × 15 × 10 cm transport case, according to the manufacturer's product description. Russia's Ministry of Emergency Situations publishes a page for the 421-22 in its public aviation-equipment listings describing a close-range-reconnaissance role — assessing damaged structures, terrain, roads and bridges, and identifying routes for ground rescue teams — though the page does not state how many units, if any, the ministry itself operates.

The manufacturer also offers the airframe as "ZALA Drone Delivery" (ZDD), a packaged cargo-delivery service built around the same platform; Zala Aero's description of that service cites a different operating envelope — up to 15 km of range and about 40 minutes of endurance carrying a 1 kg load — than the base reconnaissance configuration's figures, which likely reflects a lighter payload rather than a different airframe.

Design and capabilities

The 421-22 is an electrically powered octocopter measuring 1,065 × 1,065 × 240 mm, with a maximum take-off weight of 8 kg and a rated payload of up to 2 kg, carried across as many as three payload modules at once from Zala Aero's "Type 16E" sensor line. The manufacturer quotes an operating radius of 5 km, an endurance of 35 minutes or more, a maximum speed of 30 km/h and a ceiling of 1,000 m. Zala Aero states the aircraft can complete a flight on seven of its eight motors if one fails, and that it tolerates low temperatures; both launch and landing are automatic and require no prepared site.

Use cases

Zala Aero markets the 421-22 for aerial survey, laser scanning, and — through the ZALA Drone Delivery service built on the same airframe — short-range cargo delivery. EMERCOM's cataloguing of the type points to a secondary use inspecting disaster sites and scouting access routes for ground rescue units.

Frequently asked questions

How much can the ZALA 421-22 carry?

Up to 2 kg, across as many as three payload modules at once, according to the manufacturer.

How far can the ZALA 421-22 fly?

The manufacturer quotes a 5 km operating radius for the base reconnaissance configuration; its cargo-delivery service variant is quoted separately at up to 15 km with a lighter 1 kg load.

What happens if a motor fails on the ZALA 421-22?

The manufacturer states the octocopter can complete its flight on seven of its eight motors.

What is the ZALA 421-22 used for?

Aerial survey, laser scanning and cargo delivery, per the manufacturer; it also appears in the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations' aviation-equipment catalogue for emergency-area reconnaissance.