After successfully launching the first underwater unmanned vehicle, research and development firm Roboteknik is developing the Philippine's first commercially available unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which can be used for industrial and military purposes.

The Custos (Latin for guardian) is a remote controlled aircraft that is similar to some UAVs used in the U.S., particularly the RQ series made by AAI Corporation and Israel Aircraft Industries. The Custos is only about 1.5 meters in length and is powered by a single electric jet propulsion engine. The UAV can be outfitted with high resolution close circuit television camera for still and video shots, a global positioning system receiver, infrared sensors, and other devices. The Custos can fly for two hours at a maximum height of 5,000 feet and can fly within a 10-kilometer range and be controlled from the ground through a mobile command station.

The Custos won third prize in last year's Department of Science and Technology’s National Inventors Week Awards. Roboteknik President Michael Poblete said that the company is building an upgraded version of the original Custos, which should be ready by February 2009. Poblete declined to reveal details of the upgraded version but said it would be for an "immediate client." The new UAV, however, will also be used by the military, local government units, law enforcement, and agriculture.

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(Source: Inquirer.net, Alexander Villafania)