Data Quality83%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category.
01 / Overview
NCSIST Albatross
Country
Production
2007–
Quantity
32
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES · POST-COLD WAR
51
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
80
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the reconnaissance / surveillance drones category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- UAV ClassMedium
- Category (MALE/HALE/Tactical/Micro)Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones
- First Flight2005
- Service Entry Year2007
- Primary RoleSurveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, artillery spotting, battle damage assessment, border patrol, disaster assessment, communications relay
- In ServiceYes
◈Airframe4MOD.4
- Length5.3 m
- Wingspan8.6 m
- Max Takeoff Weight317 kg
- Low ObservableNo
▣Powerplant4MOD.4
- Engine TypePiston
- Number of Engines1
- Electric PropulsionNo
- Propeller / ConfigurationTractor
◇Performance3MOD.3
- Service Ceiling4,000 m
- Range180 km
- Endurance12
◆Payload & Sensors5MOD.5
▤Armament4MOD.4
- ArmedNo
- Hardpoints0
- Weapons Payload0 kg
- Air-to-Ground MissilesNo
⬢Control & Autonomy5MOD.5
- Control TypeRemote control
- Satellite (BLOS) LinkNo
- Autonomous CapableNo
- Swarming CapableNo
- Automatic Takeoff/LandingYes
▲Production3MOD.3
- Total Built32
- Operators1
- Variants2
◎Service History2MOD.2
- Production Start2005
- Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 2007Production started
19
years in service
32
units produced
2
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it.
05 / MASS Score
RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES RANKING Reconnaissance / Surveillance Drones · Post-Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
183RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES51POST-COLD WAR · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES41TAIWAN · ALL WEAPONS126PERFORMANCE/PRICE · RECONNAISSANCE / SURVEILLANCE DRONES
ⓘ Rankings are within theReconnaissance / Surveillance Dronescategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
Automatic Takeoff/Landing is a UAV capability that enables a drone to initiate and complete takeoff and landing sequences autonomously using onboard sensors and control software.
A capability enabling drones to relay communication signals between units, extending operational range and maintaining network connectivity in combat environments.
Electro-optical/infrared sensor combining daylight cameras and thermal imagers for real-time target detection, tracking, and identification in military drones.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources