Recently, Viettel used a drone to provide rapid response during natural disasters, addressing the telecommunications network disruptions in Nghe An in late July. The drone, which carried a mobile 4G/5G broadcasting device, at an altitude of about 50-100m, covering a radius of up to 6km, operated for 24 hours thanks to energy via a hybrid cable from the ground.

Viettel said drones can be combined with satellite broadcasting and can reach flooded areas, landslides or mountainous terrain covered by dense conditions, and cable lines; and can also handle isolated routes where broadcast vehicles cannot reach, ensuring smooth communication for search and rescue work.

At the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024, Viettel showcased over 80 high-tech products in the defense industry, notably unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) designed and manufactured 100 percent domestically by Viettel.

It has developed reconnaissance UAVs (VU-R50, VU-R70) capable of vertical takeoff/landing, flying for 3–6 hours uninterruptedly, with a combat range of about 70km, equipped with HD cameras, infrared, laser rangefinders, and AI for automatic target recognition and real-time data transmission.

Viettel has also developed multi-purpose UAVs capable of flying over 12 hours, operating at a range exceeding 1,000km, and carrying high-precision weapons, enhancing multi-environment combat capabilities.

In addition, Viettel has developed the VU-C2 suicide UAV with a maximum weight of 8kg, a flight time of 40 minutes, and an attack speed of over 130km/h. Integrated with warheads and AI to identify and automatically lock targets. It can destroy them along with the target immediately upon the attack.

Although no specific products have been announced, Viettel has mentioned long-term research into low-altitude manned aircraft, following a dual-use approach. The goal is to expand from UAV drones to specialized manned aircraft for civilian purposes like rescue, logistics, and defense in the future.

This is seen as a strategic move for Viettel, aiming for a comprehensive, flexible, and multi-tasking ecosystem.

During the upcoming parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, Viettel will showcase a range of “Made by Viettel” equipment, including combat and mid-range reconnaissance UAVs with vertical takeoff/landing capabilities.

International development 

Globally, many nations are also developing UAVs for low-altitude economic ecosystems.

In China, a global leader in drone/UAV innovation and application, the country holds over 70 percent of global drone patents and has more than 50,000 companies in the field.

Shenzhen is considered the global "drone capital," with over 1,700 companies and more than 200 dedicated flight routes, handling over 780,000 cargo flights annually for logistics, surveillance, rescue, and precision agriculture services.

Companies like Meituan operate dozens of drone delivery routes, while EHang has a certificate for its eVTOL EH216S, with plans to incorporate flying taxis in the near future. China has established a Low-Altitude Economic Development Office.

In the US, Amazon Prime Air has launched urban drone delivery. Wing (Alphabet) expanded drone delivery services in the US, Australia, and Finland. Zipline operates in over 25 countries, delivering emergency drugs and vaccines.

In Japan, SkyDrive Inc conducted its first manned eVTOL flight in 2020, collaborating with Toyota, Panasonic, and Suzuki to develop an eVTOL ecosystem for urban transport.

In South Korea, leveraging 5G technology, electronics, and telecommunications infrastructure, drones are being developed for urban planning and logistics.

In related news, Viettel, as a telecom carrier, said at an event in mid-July that it would continue to invest heavily in developing 5G-Advanced and 6G network technology, ensuring that it keeps pace with the world. 

By 2027, Viettel will commercialize 5G-Advanced equipment, deploying it according to an open, virtualized model with many superior features compared to current 5G.

Thai Khang