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Ahmed Hassan Mohamed a resident of Burtinle, Somalia invents a drone

Ahmed Hassan Mohamed with his home made drone.

By Abdirahman Khalif | 02 Nov 2023

Ahmed Hassan Mohamed, a young resident of the Burtinle district in the Nugaal region, has gained significant recognition for his remarkable achievements.

Ahmed Hassan Mohamed, a young resident of the Burtinle district in the Nugaal region, has gained significant recognition for his remarkable achievements. His journey began in early 2018 when he embarked on the ambitious project of constructing a drone aircraft. Despite encountering numerous challenges, Ahmed received invaluable support from his family and friends, who assisted in sourcing the necessary components.

With a profound passion for Chemistry and Physics, Ahmed excelled in his studies, achieving an outstanding A+ grade before his graduation in 2020, which greatly facilitated his drone-building venture. Reflecting on the early stages of his project, Ahmed recounted the mixed reactions he received from different people, some expressing skepticism about the endeavor's complexity, while others provided him with unwavering encouragement and support.

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When discussing the components of his drone, Ahmed highlighted the intricate process of assembling some elements himself while obtaining others from foreign countries, specifically engines, propellers, and batteries sourced from China through online platforms. Notably, 80% of the drone's components were crafted from locally available materials, underscoring Ahmed's commitment to leveraging local resources.

In terms of the engineering aspects of his project, Ahmed acknowledged the pivotal role of aerodynamics in the drone's design, emphasizing his reliance on internet resources to gain insights into drone technology. His inaugural drone, aptly named "Maandeeq" to symbolize national pride in the Somali language, boasts impressive specifications, including a weight of approximately 1.5 kg, a wingspan of about 1.5 meters, and a height of 1 meter. Maandeeq is capable of reaching high altitudes, covering distances of up to 1500 meters, with flight durations ranging from 25 to 30 minutes, subject to prevailing wind conditions.

Expressing his future aspirations, Ahmed disclosed his intention to provide aerial photography services once he obtains a commercial drone operation license. His recent exhibition of the long-term project at the Nugaal Books Exhibition in Garoowe, which was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, garnered significant attention. Notably, Ahmed had the honor of meeting Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, who lauded Ahmed's determination and emphasized the crucial need to support young innovators.

Looking ahead, Ahmed articulated his hope for the Somali government to endorse similar initiatives, envisioning a future where Somalia can independently manufacture its own drone aircraft to contribute to technological advancements and defense capabilities. Furthermore, he underscored the diverse applications of his Maandeeq drone, ranging from surveillance and communication equipment to security purposes. Ahmed outlined his plans to develop a series of drones powered by computer science, emphasizing their pivotal role in his current and future drone projects.