Shoigu inspected the first flight model of the Orion unmanned aerial vehicle with satellite communications. The new equipment will increase the range of the device, as it can operate outside the zone of direct radio visibility of the ground control station.

It was also reported on the contracted by the Ministry of the new unmanned system “Sirius”, UAV radar patrol “Helios-RLD”, high-speed strike drone “Grom”.

General Director of JSC “Kronshtadt” Sergei Bogatikov said that the most priority foreign market for the complex with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) “Orion” will be the Middle East.

His statement is quoted by the press service of the enterprise.

“It can be stated that the most promising market for the Orion-E spacecraft is the Middle East.

Customers in this region have increased requirements for unmanned systems – we are able to satisfy them and understand that this will maximize the competitiveness of Russian unmanned technologies in the world market and will enable our country to occupy a worthy niche in the world export of UAVs (UAVs –

The most priority foreign market for the Orion reconnaissance and strike UAV will be the Middle East. This was stated by the General Director of JSC “Kronshtadt” Sergei Bogatikov. According to him, the countries of the region have expressed a desire to participate in cooperation in the production of domestic drones. Earlier, at the Dubai Airshow 2021 exhibition, Moscow presented a number of large-size UAVs: Orion, Sirius, Helios-RLD and Thunder. The drone control complex was also demonstrated. The Russian authorities expect that Russia will be able to occupy up to 10% of the global drone market. According to experts, the advantages of domestic devices lie in high efficiency, reasonable price, as well as Moscow’s willingness to share technologies.

In mid-November, Orion was presented at the 17th international aerospace exhibition Dubai Airshow 2021. Within its framework, presentations for new potential customers and negotiations with partners of Rosoboronexport took place.

As a result, representatives of Middle Eastern enterprises expressed a desire to participate in cooperation in the manufacture of Russian UAVs.

“The most interesting products of the company are representatives of the Persian Gulf countries, a number of countries in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Orion (Pacing) is a heavy reconnaissance and strike drone, the first domestic UAV belonging to the elite class MALE (Medium-altitude long-endurance).

Earlier, the device received a successful baptism of fire in Syria, carrying out reconnaissance and destroying jihadist facilities.

Now “Orion” enters the Russian troops.

To increase the volume of production of this UAV and other large-sized domestic drones, a new plant is being built in Dubna near Moscow.

Its launch is scheduled for the end of this year.

• UAV “Orion” at Dubai Airshow 2021

The takeoff weight of the Orion is 1 ton, the wingspan is 16.3 m, the height is 3.2 m, the length is 8 m, the combat load is up to 200 kg, and the cruising speed is 120-200 km / h.

The brainchild of “Kronstadt” can be in the air for more than a day.

With high accuracy, the device is capable of using corrected bombs and laser-guided missiles.

Thanks to modern on-board equipment, strikes can be delivered in various weather conditions and at night.

Also, “Orion” has no restrictions on its use in different natural and climatic conditions.

The UAV can use a satellite communication system.

It allows you to significantly increase the effective controllable range of the drone.

Without receiving signals from orbiters, the Orion’s control range is limited to 250-300 km.

In an October interview with RT, Sergei Bogatikov said that in the future, Orion will be able to operate as part of a group of different types of UAVs.

Now on the basis of “Orion” a more dimensional and powerful UAV “Sirius” is being created.

The takeoff weight of the drone should be 5 tons, the range – 10 thousand km, the time of combat duty in the air at maximum load – up to 40 hours.

Sirius will have a satellite control option and will be able to interact with manned aircraft.

Also, the drone will become the carrier of the unified communication, data exchange, navigation and identification system (OSNOD).

Its equipment is designed for encoding and decoding information, transmitting large amounts of data and positioning an aircraft in the absence or suppression of GLONASS signals.

• Drone “Sirius”

The OSNOD developer is the Scientific and Technical Center of NPP Polyot (Nizhny Novgorod).

As stated in the materials of the enterprise, the system is an important element of onboard radio-electronic equipment.

At the same time, it has a high level of noise immunity.

Now OSNOD is being installed on the fifth generation Su-57 fighters.

Experts believe that in the future, the crew of this aircraft will operate the Sirius and other drones.

Sirius was presented at Dubai Airshow 2021. Along with it, at the exhibition in the UAE, Rosoboronexport demonstrated two more heavy large-sized unmanned systems: Helios-RLD and Thunder.

“Helios-RLD” is under development.

It is designed for conducting, radar patrol, air patrolling, ice reconnaissance, providing radio communications in case of emergencies, and delivering cargo to hard-to-reach areas.

The wingspan of Helios-RLD will be 30 m, height – 3.6 m, length – 12.6 m, maximum take-off weight – 4 tons, payload volume – 800 kg, cruising speed – 350-450 km / h, duration flight – 24-30 hours.

Unlike Helios-RLD, the Thunder apparatus will have a purely military purpose.

The drone will become a carrier of traditional missile and bomb weapons and will be able to use the Molniya drones in reconnaissance and strike versions.

“Lightning has a constant data exchange between the UAVs.

It is possible to change tasks for each member of the pack.

Leadership transfer and interchangeability.

At the same time, thanks to artificial intelligence, the task is carried out by a group without constant communication with the carrier aircraft, “the Kronstadt representative explained earlier.

Like Sirius, the Thunder complex will receive equipment for interacting with manned aircraft, including the Su-57.

It is assumed that the combat load of the UAV will be up to 2 tons, take-off weight – 7 tons, wingspan – 10 m, length – 13.8 m.

• Model of reconnaissance and strike drone “Thunder”

“Thunder” will be executed using stealth technologies.

The drone is being developed on the basis of the scientific and technological groundwork that emerged as part of the Orion project.

In early November, at a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense and enterprises of the military-industrial complex, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew attention to the importance of developing domestic unmanned aircraft.

“We need to continue working on them (drones. -), work as hard as it has been recently, having in mind, among other things, the use of artificial intelligence, the most modern achievements of technology, science and, of course, keeping in mind the experience that we ourselves have when using these aircraft, the analysis of what we observe around us, “Putin said

Drones-kamikaze “Kalashnikov” KUB received an export passport

❓What happened

Loitering ammunition developed by #ZALAAero (Kalashnikov group of companies) #KUB received an export passport, which allows it to be offered to foreign customers, the RIA Novosti news agency reports. State tests of the drone were successfully completed in November 2021. In 2022, its serial deliveries to the Russian Armed Forces are planned. The Kalashnikov noted that the drone “already has a successful experience of combat use, confirmed in real conditions.” Possible export directions – North Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia.

❗️Why is it important

Currently, there are practically no drones on the world market with similar weight and size indicators: the dimensions of the KUB-UAV are 1210x950x165 mm, while it can carry a payload of up to 3 kg. “CUBEs” can be used to strike at various targets, are silent, reach speeds of up to 130 km / h and can spend up to 30 minutes in flight.