GIDS Shahpar-II. The Shahpar-ll is an unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) built by Global Industrial Defence Solutions of Pakistan. It is currently in production following the completion of a test and qualification phase.

According to an engineer of AERO (Advanced Engineering Research Organisation), one of the seven companies forming the  GIDS consortium, the only parts of the Shahpar aircraft system not produced in Pakistan are the engine and tires. The sensor suite, a multi-sensor turret designated "Zumr-II (EO/IR)", is built at an AERO facility near Islamabad. The design features a pusher engine with canard foreplanes in front of the wings.

The Shahpar II is designed to autonomously take off and land on a runway or land with a parachute. Payloads are available for reconnaissance and day/night surveillance. Targets on the ground can be geo-referenced and geo-pointed by the avionics. The military standard hardware is built to Environmental Standard 810F. Ground equipment is capable of mission planning and simulation; mission management and control as well as debriefing of ground crew.
 An upgraded version Shappar-2 block II has been launched which boasts higher service ceiling and longer flight time.

On 24 August 2024, one of the UAV crashed in Bhakkar district, Punjab. The crash is due to  technical error, but the exact cause is under investigation.

Development 
On March 23, 2021, Shahpar-II drone was first exhibited publicly during the Pakistan Day parade. It was being developed as an improved version of GIDS Shahpar.

On 28 November 2021, at EDEX 2021 Operational specifications were unveiled by GIDS and a promotional video of Shahpur-II drone showing its locating, tracking and targeting capabilities as surveillance and ground attack drone. Zumr-II (EO/IR) turret was also unveiled as an improved and lighter version of Zumr-I (EP) turret. Targeting / surveillance Turret is installed as internal payload. Drone can also be equipped with other targeting system available from foreign supplier. Drone can also be equipped with SAR, COMINT/ELINT payload. For sensors and targeting systems drone has an internal hard-point where it carry  payload. (Zumr-I weighs  while Zumr-II weighs ). The drone has two external hard-points where it can carry Laser guided weapons, AGMs  each. The promo shows Shahpar-II drone firing Barq laser guided ASM on moving and still targets with high accuracy.

Features 
 Improved Aerodynamics & Structure
 Enhanced Payload Options (i.e. COMINT/ELINT, SAR. EO/IR)
 SATCOM capable
 Mid-air Engine restart capability
 Equipped with ATC transponder/Provision of IFF
 Provision of Internal Pilot
 Enhanced Propulsion System
 Retractable Landing Gears
 Asymmetric landing

Specifications (Shahpar-2 Block 2) 
Data from

General characteristics 
 Length: 
 Wingspan: 
 Max takeoff weight: 
 Payload:  internal,  external

Performance 
 Maximum speed: 
 Cruise speed: 
 Stall speed: 
 Endurance: 20 hours surveillance, 12 hours armed
 Service ceiling:  surveillance,  armed

Armaments 
 Hardpoints:  4, with provisions to carry:
 Barq Laser guided missile

Avionics 
 GIDS Zumr-II (EO/IR) multi-sensor turret
 Autonomous GPS-based tracking and control system
 Real-time data link (LoS) (300 km range)
 SATCOM data link (1500 km range)

Shahpar-III 
The Shahpar-III Medium-altitude long-endurance UAV development is on the way and its first flight is expected around the end of 2023. It was displayed in IDEF Turkey along with the new Faaz Air to Air missile.

See also

References

GIDS products
Airborne military robots
Single-engined pusher aircraft
Pakistan Army
Pakistan Air Force
Military equipment of Pakistan
Unmanned military aircraft of Pakistan