Strike drone. Drone: review of Russian and foreign unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). About use in the army

Just 20 years ago, Russia was one of the world leaders in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles. aircraft. Only 950 Tu-143 aerial reconnaissance aircraft were produced in the 80s of the last century.

The famous reusable spaceship"Buran", which made its first and only flight in completely unmanned mode. I don’t see any point in somehow giving up on the development and use of drones now.

Background of Russian drones (Tu-141, Tu-143, Tu-243). In the mid-sixties, the Tupolev Design Bureau began creating new complexes unmanned reconnaissance tactical and operational purpose. On August 30, 1968, Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR N 670-241 was issued on the development of a new unmanned complex tactical reconnaissance"Flight" (VR-3) and the unmanned reconnaissance aircraft "143" (Tu-143) included in it. The deadline for presenting the complex for testing was specified in the Resolution: for the version with photo reconnaissance equipment - 1970, for the version with equipment for television reconnaissance and for the version with equipment for radiation reconnaissance - 1972.

The Tu-143 reconnaissance UAV was mass-produced in two variants with a replaceable nose part: a photo reconnaissance version with recording information on board, and a television reconnaissance version with the transmission of information via radio to ground command posts. In addition, the reconnaissance aircraft could be equipped with radiation reconnaissance equipment with the transmission of materials about the radiation situation along the flight route to the ground via a radio channel. The Tu-143 UAV is presented at an exhibition of aviation equipment at the Central Aerodrome in Moscow and at the Museum in Monino (you can also see the Tu-141 UAV there).

As part of the aerospace show in Zhukovsky MAKS-2007 near Moscow, in the closed part of the exhibition, the MiG aircraft manufacturing corporation showed its attack unmanned system "Scat" - an aircraft designed according to the "flying wing" design and outwardly very reminiscent of the American bomber B-2 Spirit or its a smaller version is the X-47B maritime unmanned aerial vehicle.

"Scat" is designed to strike both previously scouted stationary targets, primarily air defense systems, in conditions of strong opposition anti-aircraft weapons the enemy, and against mobile ground and sea targets when conducting autonomous and group actions, joint with manned aircraft.

Its maximum take-off weight should be 10 tons. Flight range - 4 thousand kilometers. Flight speed near the ground is at least 800 km/h. It will be able to carry two air-to-surface/air-to-radar missiles or two adjustable aerial bombs with a total mass of no more than 1 ton.

The aircraft is designed according to the flying wing design. In addition, well-known techniques for reducing radar signature were clearly visible in the design. Thus, the wingtips are parallel to its leading edge and the contours of the rear part of the device are made in exactly the same way. Above the middle part of the wing, the Skat had a fuselage of a characteristic shape, smoothly connected to the load-bearing surfaces. Vertical tail was not provided. As can be seen from the photographs of the Skat model, control was to be carried out using four elevons located on the consoles and on the center section. At the same time, certain questions were immediately raised by the yaw controllability: due to the lack of a rudder and a single-engine design, the UAV needed to somehow solve this problem. There is a version about a single deflection of the internal elevons for yaw control.

The model presented at the MAKS-2007 exhibition had the following dimensions: a wingspan of 11.5 meters, a length of 10.25 and a parking height of 2.7 m. Regarding the mass of the Skat, all that is known is that its maximum take-off weight should have been approximately equal to ten tons. With such parameters, the Skat had good calculated flight data. At a maximum speed of up to 800 km/h, it could rise to a height of up to 12 thousand meters and cover up to 4000 kilometers in flight. Such flight performance was planned to be achieved using a two-circuit turbojet engine RD-5000B with a thrust of 5040 kgf. This turbojet engine was created on the basis of the RD-93 engine, but was initially equipped with a special flat nozzle, which reduces the visibility of the aircraft in infrared range. The engine air intake was located in the forward part of the fuselage and was an unregulated intake device.

Inside the characteristically shaped fuselage, the Skat had two cargo compartments measuring 4.4 x 0.75 x 0.65 meters. With such dimensions, it was possible to suspend guided missiles in the cargo compartments various types, as well as adjustable bombs. The total mass of the Stingray's combat load should have been approximately two tons. During the presentation at the MAKS-2007 salon, next to the Skat there were Kh-31 missiles and KAB-500 adjustable bombs. The composition of the on-board equipment implied by the project was not disclosed. Based on information about other projects of this class, we can draw conclusions about the presence of a complex of navigation and sighting equipment, as well as some capabilities for autonomous actions.

The Dozor-600 UAV (developed by Transas designers), also known as Dozor-3, is much lighter than the Skat or Proryv. Its maximum take-off weight does not exceed 710-720 kilograms. Moreover, due to the classic aerodynamic layout with a full fuselage and a straight wing, it has approximately the same dimensions as the Stingray: a wingspan of twelve meters and a total length of seven. In the bow of the Dozor-600 there is space for target equipment, and in the middle there is a stabilized platform for observation equipment. A propeller group is located in the tail section of the drone. It is based on a Rotax 914 piston engine, similar to those installed on the Israeli IAI Heron UAV and the American MQ-1B Predator.

115 Horse power engines allow the Dozor-600 drone to accelerate to a speed of about 210-215 km/h or make long flights at a cruising speed of 120-150 km/h. When using additional fuel tanks, this UAV is capable of staying in the air for up to 24 hours. Thus, the practical flight range is approaching 3,700 kilometers.

Based on the characteristics of the Dozor-600 UAV, we can draw conclusions about its purpose. Its relatively low take-off weight does not allow it to transport any serious weapons, which limits the range of tasks it can perform exclusively to reconnaissance. However, a number of sources mention the possibility of installing various weapons on the Dozor-600, total weight which does not exceed 120-150 kilograms. Because of this, the range of weapons permissible for use is limited only to certain types of guided missiles, in particular anti-tank missiles. It is noteworthy that when using anti-tank guided missiles, Dozor-600 becomes largely similar to the American MQ-1B Predator, both in technical specifications, and in terms of the composition of weapons.

Hunter

Heavy attack unmanned aerial vehicle project. The development of the research project “Hunter” to study the possibility of creating an attack UAV weighing up to 20 tons in the interests of the Russian Air Force was or is being carried out by the Sukhoi company (JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau). For the first time, the plans of the Ministry of Defense to adopt an attack UAV were announced at the MAKS-2009 air show in August 2009. According to a statement by Mikhail Pogosyan in August 2009, the design of a new attack unmanned aerial system was to be the first working together relevant units of the Sukhoi and MiG Design Bureaus (project Skat). The media reported the conclusion of a contract for the implementation of the Okhotnik research work with the Sukhoi company on July 12, 2011. In August 2011, the merger of the relevant divisions of RSK MiG and Sukhoi to develop a promising strike UAV was confirmed in the media, but the official agreement between MiG " and "Sukhoi" were signed only on October 25, 2012.

The terms of reference for the strike UAV were approved by the Russian Ministry of Defense on the first of April 2012. On July 6, 2012, information appeared in the media that the Sukhoi company had been selected by the Russian Air Force as the lead developer. An unnamed industry source also reports that the attack UAV developed by Sukhoi will simultaneously be a sixth-generation fighter. As of mid-2012, it is expected that the first sample of the strike UAV will begin testing no earlier than 2016. It is expected to enter service by 2020. In 2012, JSC VNIIRA carried out a selection of patent materials on the topic of R&D "Hunter", and in In the future, it was planned to create navigation systems for landing and taxiing heavy UAVs on the instructions of Sukhoi Company OJSC (source).

Media reports that the first sample of a heavy attack UAV named after the Sukhoi Design Bureau will be ready in 2018.

Combat use (otherwise they will say exhibition copies are Soviet junk)

“For the first time in the world, the Russian Armed Forces carried out an attack on a fortified area of ​​militants with combat drones. In the province of Latakia, army units Syrian army, with the support of Russian paratroopers and Russian combat drones, took the strategic height of 754.5, the Siriatel tower.

More recently, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General Gerasimov, said that Russia is striving to completely robotize the battle, and perhaps soon we will witness how robotic groups independently conduct military operations, and this is what happened.

In Russia in 2013 it was put into service Airborne forces newest automated control system "Andromeda-D", with the help of which you can carry out operational control of a mixed group of troops.

The use of the latest high-tech equipment allows the command to ensure continuous control of troops performing combat training missions at unfamiliar training grounds, and the Airborne Forces command to monitor their actions, being at a distance of more than 5 thousand kilometers from their deployment sites, receiving from the training area not only a graphic picture of the moving units, but also video images of their actions in real time.

Depending on the tasks, the complex can be mounted on the chassis of a two-axle KamAZ, BTR-D, BMD-2 or BMD-4. In addition, taking into account the specifics of the Airborne Forces, Andromeda-D is adapted for loading into an aircraft, flight and landing.

This system, as well as combat drones, were deployed to Syria and tested in combat conditions.

Six Platform-M robotic complexes and four Argo complexes took part in the attack on the heights; the drone attack was supported by self-propelled drones recently deployed to Syria artillery installations(self-propelled guns) "Acacia", which can destroy enemy positions with overhead fire.

From the air, drones conducted reconnaissance behind the battlefield, transmitting information to the deployed Andromeda-D field center, as well as to Moscow to the National Defense Control Center command post General Staff Russia.

Combat robots, self-propelled guns, and drones were linked to the Andromeda-D automated control system. The commander of the attack to the heights, in real time, led the battle, the operators of combat drones, being in Moscow, led the attack, everyone saw both their own area of ​​​​the battle and the whole picture as a whole.

The drones were the first to attack, approaching 100-120 meters to the militants’ fortifications, they called fire on themselves, and immediately attacked the detected firing points with self-propelled guns.

Behind the drones, at a distance of 150-200 meters, Syrian infantry advanced, clearing the heights.

The militants did not have the slightest chance, all their movements were controlled by drones, artillery strikes were carried out on the discovered militants, literally 20 minutes after the start of the attack by combat drones, the militants fled in horror, abandoning the dead and wounded. On the slopes of height 754.5, almost 70 militants were killed, there were no dead Syrian soldiers, only 4 wounded.”

According to experts, unmanned aerial vehicles are invaluable for modern military aviation. The advent of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones as they are also called, has changed the tactics of combat operations. The “drone boom” occurred in the late 70s of the 20th century. The Americans are generally recognized leaders in the global production of drones.

The use of UAVs in Russia was seriously considered only in 2008. The basis for this was the Georgian conflict. After the events in Georgia, all the advantages that the use of drones can provide became obvious. Information about Russian military UAVs is presented in the article.

Getting to know the device

The abbreviation UAV stands for “unmanned aerial vehicle.” It indicates that a pilot is not needed to control this aircraft. The movement of the UAV can be controlled remotely: from an airplane, from the ground or from space.

About classification

Today, a huge number of different drones have been produced for aviation needs. Each model has its own configuration features and component characteristics. According to experts, UAV manufacturers in Russia have not yet developed standards for the manufacture of drones. This, in turn, led to a lack of requirements for the drone. UAVs can be classified using the following parameters:

• Design.
• Start type.
• Special purpose.
• Specifications.
• Type of power supply for the power plant.
• Navigation characteristics and radio frequency spectrum.

Types of drones

Unmanned aerial vehicles presented on the global aviation market are:

• Uncontrollable.
• Remote controlled.
• Automatic.

Depending on their size, drones are divided into several groups:

• Microdrones. Their weight does not exceed 10 kg. Such aircraft are designed for a one-hour flight.
• Mini drones. UAVs weigh around 50 kg. They can stay in the air for 3 to 5 hours.
• Midi. The weight of such a drone is about a ton. It is capable of overcoming 15-hour flights.
• Heavy. The mass of such devices exceeds a ton. Of all the above types, these drones are considered the most advanced. Heavy UAVs are suitable for intercontinental flights.

Russia does not have a production base focused on the commercial or consumer market.

About the advantages of drones

Unlike manned airplanes and helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles have the following strengths:

• UAVs have reduced overall dimensions, which cannot be said about traditional aircraft.
• Drones are less expensive to produce.
• The military command has the opportunity to use UAVs in combat conditions without putting the pilot’s life at risk. Due to the relative cheapness of the device, it is not a pity to “sacrifice” it if necessary.
• Since UAVs are capable of transmitting received information in real time, they can be used for reconnaissance purposes.
• Drones have high combat readiness and mobility. To launch them, there is no need to raise the entire flight crew.
• Several UAVs can be used to form small mobile complexes.

About the disadvantages

Despite the presence of undeniable advantages, unmanned aerial vehicles are not without some disadvantages. Weaknesses UAVs are:

• Unlike traditional aviation, such nuances as landing and rescuing the aircraft have not been sufficiently thought out for drones.
• Drones are significantly inferior to controlled aircraft and helicopters in such a parameter as reliability.
• IN Peaceful time the operation of drones is limited.

The tasks of drones in civilian life

UAVs appeared immediately after the creation of the first aircraft. However, the production of drones was put into production only in the 1970s. As it soon turned out, with the help of these devices it is possible to carry out aerial photography, monitor various objects, geodetic research, and also deliver purchases to your home.

Areas of application of UPLs

In Russia, unmanned aerial vehicles are designed to perform the following tasks:

• Monitoring and protection of state borders.
• Intelligence and identification of terrorist threats.

Drones are widely used by the military during special operations in Syria. Drones are also used in agriculture. UAVs are used to carry out aerial photography and inspection of oil pipelines. According to aviation experts, the civil sphere in the use of UAVs in Russia (drones) occupies only 30%.

About use in the army

The direction for UAV production in Russia has been set by the military. The army command uses drones primarily to perform reconnaissance missions. Exactly at in this direction The main UAV manufacturers operate in Russia. IN last years, in addition to reconnaissance drones, they began to produce attack drones. Kamikaze drones belong to a separate group. In addition, some UAV models are adapted for electronic warfare with the enemy, to relay radio signals. Drones can also provide target information for artillery pieces. During military exercises in Russia, UAVs are used as relatively inexpensive aerial targets. Cheap production of drones allows the military to sacrifice these unmanned vehicles when performing important tasks.

About the first models of Russian drones

Compared to Israel and the United States, Russia today is significantly inferior in the production of UAVs. Many Russians are interested in the question of what kind of unmanned aerial vehicles their country’s military aviation has. One of the first, still Soviet, models is the Pchela-1T drone.

The UAV made its first flight in 1990. His task: to adjust the firing from the Smerch and Hurricane artillery guns. Today this model is in service with Russia. The Bee-1T UAV is designed for a range of up to 60 thousand m. The weight of the device is 138 kg. To launch the drone, a special installation and rocket boosters are provided. The drone lands using a parachute. "Pchela-1T" was used Russian army during the Chechen conflict. During the military operations, this Russian UAV made ten flights. Two models were shot down by militants. According to aviation experts, today this sample outdated.

Another old-style Russian reconnaissance drone is the Dozor-85 model. After successful tests in 2007, the military ordered the first batch of 12 drones. "Dozor-85" is intended for border guards. The weight of the device is 85 kg. A UAV of this model can remain in the air for no more than 8 hours.

About the aircraft manufactured in 2007

"Skat" is a reconnaissance and attack UAV of Russia. The aircraft was designed at the experimental design bureau of Mikoyan and Gurevich and JSC Klimov. The location for the UAV display was the MAKS 2007 air show. The device was presented as a full-size mockup. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, as the main developer of the Russian attack UAV, was the Sukhoi AKH. Soon, as stated CEO RSK "MIG" Sergey Korotkov, design work on the drone has been stopped. The reason for this was insufficient funding for the project. However, as stated by the CEO, as of 2015, production of the drone was resumed again. The project is funded by the Russian Ministry of Industrial Trade. Intended unmanned vehicle for reconnaissance. In addition, with the help of aerial bombs and guided missiles, this device can fire at ground targets.

The size of the UAV is 10.25 m. The height of the drone is 2.7 m. The drone is equipped with a three-legged chassis and one turbofan engine RD-5000B, for which a flat nozzle is provided. The weight of the UAV is no more than 20 thousand kg. The aircraft is capable of transporting a combat load of up to 6 thousand kg. The drone is equipped with four suspension points. Their location was the internal bomb bays. The drone is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 850 km/h. Designed to cover 4 km distances. The combat radius is 1200 km.

About the Russian-Israeli project

2010 was the year of signing between the Russian military department and Israeli company IAI contract for the production of drones. According to the agreement, the vehicles are assembled at aircraft manufacturing enterprises of the Russian Federation. The Israeli-made Searcher drone, produced in 1992, was taken as the basis. In Russia, the UAV was improved and renamed “Forpost”. The take-off weight of the drone is 400 kg. The flight range does not exceed 250 km. The device is equipped with a satellite navigation system and thermal imaging cameras.

Other models

Since 2007, reconnaissance activities have been carried out by aircraft models of the Tipchak UAV. The launch weight of the aircraft is 50 kg. The drone's flight duration does not exceed two hours. Conventional and infrared cameras are provided for the UAV.

In 2009, the Russian company Transas released the Dozor-600 UAV. The aircraft is a multi-purpose drone. It was first presented at the MAKS-2009 exhibition. Experts believe that this drone is an analogue of the MQ-1B Predator. However, there is no reliable information about the exact characteristics of the American UAV. Russian aircraft designers have further plans to equip the radar system with a video camera and a thermal imager. A target designation system is also being developed for the drone. Using Dozor-600, the military carries out reconnaissance and surveillance in front-line areas. Information indicating the strike capabilities of this drone is not yet available.

Russian military aviation uses the Orlan-3M and Orlan-10 UAV models. With the help of these devices the following are carried out: reconnaissance, search work and target designation for salvo fire from artillery guns. Externally, both models of “eagles” are very similar. The minor differences are in their take-off weight and range. A special catapult is used to launch both drones. The UAV is landed using a parachute.

About the new Russian UAV

For the needs of military aircraft manufacturing by Zala Aero Group was created new model unmanned aerial vehicle, which is known as Zala 421-08. Main project manager: Zakharov A.V. The main task of the UAV: ​​to monitor, adjust salvo fire from artillery pieces. In addition, a drone can be used to assess damage. According to experts, distinctive feature This aircraft is capable of performing video and photo surveillance from a short distance. The drone uses a “flying wing” design. The drone is provided with:

• Glider with autopilot.
• Controls.
• Power point.
• Onboard power supply system.
• Removable blocks containing target load.
• A system that is responsible for landing using a parachute.

The drone body is equipped with special miniature LED lights. Thanks to them, the drone does not get lost at night. The vehicle is also equipped with automatic parachute landing. The video channel operates within a radius of 15 km, audio - 25 km. The drone has a short flight duration of only 80 minutes. The wingspan is 81 cm. The maximum flight altitude is 3600 m. The drone is launched from a catapult. Landing is carried out using a parachute or a special net. The aircraft is equipped with an electric traction motor. The drone has a speed of 65 to 130 km/h. The maximum take-off weight is 2.5 kg. Operation of the drone is possible in temperature conditions from -30 to +40 degrees, as well as at a maximum permissible wind speed of 20 m/s. The aircraft is equipped special module, with the help of which target tracking is carried out automatically.

About "Okhotnik-B"

Aviation designers of the Sukhoi and MiG companies are carrying out design work on the production of a modern model of Russian UAV. 2017-2020 - this is the time frame allotted to designers to create an unmanned aerial vehicle. In the documentation, the drone is listed as “Okhotnik-B”. IN Russian media former leader The United Aircraft Corporation stated that the Sukhoi company is considered the main developer of the drone, and the MiG corporation acts in this project as a co-executor. According to the leading Russian expert in the field of unmanned systems Denis Fedutinov, the UAV will be no different in appearance from the reconnaissance and attack vehicles produced by the United States and technologically advanced European countries. When manufacturing the drone, Russian designers used the “flying wing” design. At the moment more detailed information there is no information about the future aircraft. It is known that Okhotnik-B will belong to the type of heavy drones, and its flight and combat characteristics will be as close as possible to the parameters of the X-47B, produced by the American company Northrop Grumman. Subsonic speeds will be possible for the Russian unmanned vessel, its range of action will be 4 thousand meters. It is planned to arm the Okhotnik-B with a variety of target loads, including shock ones. As the expert stated, the load mass will be at least two tons. Flight tests are planned for 2018. The drone will enter Russian service no earlier than 2020.

About the manufacturers

The companies Geoscan Aero, Tranzas, Armair and Zala Aero (a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov concern) are carrying out design work to create unmanned aircraft for the economic and military sectors of the country.

Development of new Russian drone aviation specialists work at the Tupolev plant. The products of these companies are in demand in both the military, industrial and commercial sectors. With the help of UAVs produced by Zala Aero, pipelines, reservoirs, state borders, nature reserves. Operational search activities are carried out using drones. The machines produced by Geoscan Aero are used primarily in the commercial sector. With their help, photo and video shooting and delivery of various goods to the customer are carried out.

State tests of the new Russian heavy attack drone could begin as early as next year. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Defense Yuri Borisov during a visit to the Kazan Design Bureau named after Simonov. Apparently, we are talking about the first Russian heavy attack drone"Zenitsa."

This drone was developed in Kazan and made its first flight back in 2014. Out now prototype, which takes into account all the experimental data obtained during preliminary tests. It is he, as Borisov expects, who will enter state testing next year. The Deputy Minister is confident that the tests will take place in a short time and will fully confirm that the designers have fulfilled the technical specifications. That is, purchases by the Zenitsa army are expected already in 2018. It is assumed that at first the serial production of the drone can reach 250 units.

About attack drones We've been saying this for a long time. Without them in service, we spent a long time and energetically “exposing” the American Predator. It is supposedly an extremely indiscriminate weapon, firing missiles at both foot and horse and personnel, and on military equipment enemy and civilians.

However, already at that time, energetic work was underway in our own state design bureaus and private firms to create the first Russian analogues"Predator". From time to time, reports appeared that some developer was already two steps away from transferring unmanned manpower fighters and armored vehicles for state testing.

Most of all, they talked about Dozor-600, created by the Kronstadt company since the middle of the last decade. The prototype made its first flight in 2009. Since then, information has periodically appeared that a little more and... In 2013 Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu demanded to speed up the progress of work. But at the moment this makes little sense. Because Dozor-600 is yesterday’s unmanned aircraft. Its payload is only 120 kg. The American veteran Predator, which has been in operation since the last century, has a weight of 204 kg. And the modern Reaper has 1700 kg. True, the developers insist that Dozor-600 is not only an attack drone, but also a reconnaissance drone. However, our army already has quite enough unmanned reconnaissance aircraft for every taste.

Kronstadt has another development. And it was carried out jointly with the aforementioned Kazan Design Bureau named after. Simonova. This is the "Pacer", which is both more impressive than the "Dozor-600" and has a higher readiness. A year ago, information appeared that tests of the “Pacer” had begun at the Gromov Flight Research Institute. Nothing is known about the prospects for its adoption. And this is not surprising, since he was also very late in his birth. This is perfectly illustrated by a comparison of the main performance characteristics of the “Pacer” and the American “Predator”, which was put into service in 1995.

Flight characteristics of the Predator and Pacer UAVs

Maximum take-off weight, kg: 1020 - 1200

Payload weight, kg: 204 - 300

Engine type: piston - piston

Maximum height flight, m: 7900 – 8000

Maximum speed, km/h: 215 - presumably 210

Cruising speed, km/h: 130 — presumably 120−150

Flight duration, hours: 40 – 24

Although, of course, light attack drones, such as the “Pacer”, have their own niche in the army. They do an excellent job of solving anti-terrorist tasks of eliminating “particularly outstanding” militants. It is this path that Israel is following, creating compact drones armed with one or two short-range missiles with precise targeting.

OKB im. Simonova attacks the problem of creating a domestic strike drone on a broad front, not limiting herself to the development of two topics. In this case, all developments are brought to the stage of at least the production of prototypes. Big hopes Simonov’s team associated it with the middle-class Altair drone, weighing up to 5 tons.

Altair made its first flight at the end of last year. However, it turned out that the creation of a fully functional sample is still far away. The OKB is constantly and quite radically refining its brainchild. So, instead of the stated 5 tons, the drone began to weigh 7 tons. And according to the technical specifications, it was assumed that it would have a payload mass of about two tons, and a ceiling of 12 km. The maximum flight time is 48 hours. In this case, the drone must have a stable connection with the control complex at a distance of up to 450 km without the use of satellite channels.

Other characteristics are classified. But from what is known, it can be assumed that Altair should be at least no worse than the American Reper. Its ceiling is slightly lower, but the flight duration is significantly longer - 48 hours versus 28 hours.

When the development amount exceeded 2 billion rubles, the Ministry of Defense decided to reduce funding. At the same time, Altair was given a chance - by proposing to create a civilian modification for monitoring Arctic regions, so that civilian structures would co-finance the project.

Kazan residents, if they receive additional sources of funding, intend to complete the development of Altair in 2019 and introduce the drone into mass production in 2020. The decision to cut funding was made two weeks ago.

Upon careful study of the question of how many heavy attack drones the OKB im. Simonov, there is a suspicion (based on facts) that they are trying to present us with one product under the guise of another.

Firstly, Yuri Borisov, while in Kazan, said that the Simonov Design Bureau won a competition for the development of a heavy drone several years ago in a difficult competition. However, we know for certain that in the tender the Simonov team won the right to create the Altair, and not the Zenitsa. The cost of the tender is also known - 1.6 billion rubles.

Secondly, “Zenitsa” is not heavy drone, its take-off weight is 1080 kg. And, therefore, the payload cannot in any way exceed a quarter of a ton. It is known that it was developed on the basis of the Soviet Tu-143 “Flight” drone, which was put into service back in 1982. The characteristics, of course, have been significantly improved today. For example, the ceiling increased from 1000 m to 9000 m, and the flight range - from 180 km to 750 km. But, of course, this became possible due to a significant increase in fuel mass, which did not benefit the payload. So the 250 kg we estimate may turn out to be too much for Zenitsa.

Flight characteristics of the UAV "Zenitsa"

Length - 7.5 m.

Wingspan - 2 m.

Height - 1.4 m.

Maximum take-off weight - 1080 kg.

Cruising flight speed - 650 km/h

Maximum flight speed - 820 km/h

Maximum range flight - 750 km

Maximum flight altitude - 9100 m

Aircraft engine type - jet

So we can assume that under the guise of “Zenitsa” they are offering us “Altair”, the attitude towards which at the Ministry of Defense, due to unknown reasons, has changed dramatically.

If we talk about a truly heavy attack drone, which our aviation industry may soon produce, then this is the 20-ton Okhotnik UAV. Although he should have already been born under the name “Scat”. The fact is that from the beginning of the 2000s, Skat was developed by the Mikoyan and Gurevich Design Bureau. In 2007, a full-size model was presented at the MAKS-2007 salon. However, soon funding for the project ceased due to the policy of the then Minister of Defense Anatoly Serdyukov on the purchase of high-tech weapons for the army abroad.

After the change of minister, the project was unfrozen, but transferred to the Sukhoi Design Bureau. RSK MiG was involved in the project as a co-executor.

The terms of reference for the “Hunter” were approved by the Ministry of Defense in 2012. Its details have not been disclosed. The drone will be built on a modular basis, which will allow it to be used to solve a wide range of tasks. The developers were determined to begin testing the prototype in 2016 and transfer it to the army in 2020. However, as usual, the deadlines have slipped. The year before last, the first flight of the prototype was postponed to 2018.

Because oh Flight characteristics of the "Hunter" nothing is known, we present the characteristics of the Skat UAV. Logically, the Hunter’s performance should be at least as good.

Length - 10.25 m

Wingspan - 11.5 m

Height - 2.7 m

Maximum take-off weight - 20000 kg

TRD engine thrust - 5040 kgf

Maximum speed - 850 km/h

Flight range - 4000 km

Practical ceiling - 15000 m

Just 20 years ago, Russia was one of the world leaders in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles. Only 950 Tu-143 aerial reconnaissance aircraft were produced in the 80s of the last century. The famous reusable spacecraft Buran was created, which made its first and only flight in completely unmanned mode. I don’t see any point in somehow giving up on the development and use of drones now.

Background of Russian drones (Tu-141, Tu-143, Tu-243). In the mid-sixties, the Tupolev Design Bureau began creating new unmanned reconnaissance systems for tactical and operational purposes. On August 30, 1968, Resolution N 670-241 of the Council of Ministers of the USSR was issued on the development of a new unmanned tactical reconnaissance complex "Flight" (VR-3) and the unmanned reconnaissance aircraft "143" (Tu-143) included in it. The deadline for presenting the complex for testing was specified in the Resolution: for the version with photo reconnaissance equipment - 1970, for the version with equipment for television reconnaissance and for the version with equipment for radiation reconnaissance - 1972.

The Tu-143 reconnaissance UAV was mass-produced in two variants with a replaceable nose part: a photo reconnaissance version with recording information on board, and a television reconnaissance version with the transmission of information via radio to ground command posts. In addition, the reconnaissance aircraft could be equipped with radiation reconnaissance equipment with the transmission of materials about the radiation situation along the flight route to the ground via a radio channel. The Tu-143 UAV is presented at an exhibition of aviation equipment at the Central Aerodrome in Moscow and at the Museum in Monino (you can also see the Tu-141 UAV there).

As part of the aerospace show in Zhukovsky MAKS-2007 near Moscow, in the closed part of the exhibition, the MiG aircraft manufacturing corporation showed its attack unmanned system "Scat" - an aircraft designed according to the "flying wing" design and outwardly very reminiscent of the American bomber B-2 Spirit or its a smaller version is the X-47B maritime unmanned aerial vehicle.

"Scat" is designed to strike both pre-reconnaissance stationary targets, primarily air defense systems, in conditions of strong opposition from enemy anti-aircraft weapons, and mobile ground and sea targets when conducting autonomous and group actions, joint with manned aircraft.

Its maximum take-off weight should be 10 tons. Flight range - 4 thousand kilometers. Flight speed near the ground is at least 800 km/h. It will be able to carry two air-to-surface/air-to-radar missiles or two adjustable aerial bombs with a total mass of no more than 1 ton.

The aircraft is designed according to the flying wing design. In addition, well-known techniques for reducing radar signature were clearly visible in the design. Thus, the wingtips are parallel to its leading edge and the contours of the rear part of the device are made in exactly the same way. Above the middle part of the wing, the Skat had a fuselage of a characteristic shape, smoothly connected to the load-bearing surfaces. Vertical tail was not provided. As can be seen from the photographs of the Skat model, control was to be carried out using four elevons located on the consoles and on the center section. At the same time, certain questions were immediately raised by the yaw controllability: due to the lack of a rudder and a single-engine design, the UAV needed to somehow solve this problem. There is a version about a single deflection of the internal elevons for yaw control.

The model presented at the MAKS-2007 exhibition had the following dimensions: a wingspan of 11.5 meters, a length of 10.25 and a parking height of 2.7 m. Regarding the mass of the Skat, all that is known is that its maximum take-off weight should have been approximately equal to ten tons. With such parameters, the Skat had good calculated flight data. At a maximum speed of up to 800 km/h, it could rise to a height of up to 12 thousand meters and cover up to 4000 kilometers in flight. Such flight performance was planned to be achieved using a two-circuit turbojet engine RD-5000B with a thrust of 5040 kgf. This turbojet engine was created on the basis of the RD-93 engine, but was initially equipped with a special flat nozzle, which reduces the visibility of the aircraft in the infrared range. The engine air intake was located in the forward part of the fuselage and was an unregulated intake device.

Inside the characteristically shaped fuselage, the Skat had two cargo compartments measuring 4.4 x 0.75 x 0.65 meters. With such dimensions, it was possible to hang guided missiles of various types, as well as adjustable bombs, in the cargo compartments. The total mass of the Stingray's combat load should have been approximately two tons. During the presentation at the MAKS-2007 salon, next to the Skat there were Kh-31 missiles and KAB-500 adjustable bombs. The composition of the on-board equipment implied by the project was not disclosed. Based on information about other projects of this class, we can draw conclusions about the presence of a complex of navigation and sighting equipment, as well as some capabilities for autonomous actions.

The Dozor-600 UAV (developed by Transas designers), also known as Dozor-3, is much lighter than the Skat or Proryv. Its maximum take-off weight does not exceed 710-720 kilograms. Moreover, due to the classic aerodynamic layout with a full fuselage and a straight wing, it has approximately the same dimensions as the Stingray: a wingspan of twelve meters and a total length of seven. In the bow of the Dozor-600 there is space for target equipment, and in the middle there is a stabilized platform for observation equipment. A propeller group is located in the tail section of the drone. It is based on a Rotax 914 piston engine, similar to those installed on the Israeli IAI Heron UAV and the American MQ-1B Predator.

The 115 horsepower engine allows the Dozor-600 drone to accelerate to a speed of about 210-215 km/h or make long flights at a cruising speed of 120-150 km/h. When using additional fuel tanks, this UAV is capable of staying in the air for up to 24 hours. Thus, the practical flight range is approaching 3,700 kilometers.

Based on the characteristics of the Dozor-600 UAV, we can draw conclusions about its purpose. Its relatively low take-off weight does not allow it to transport any serious weapons, which limits the range of tasks it can perform exclusively to reconnaissance. However, a number of sources mention the possibility of installing various weapons on the Dozor-600, the total mass of which does not exceed 120-150 kilograms. Because of this, the range of weapons permissible for use is limited only to certain types of guided missiles, in particular anti-tank missiles. It is noteworthy that when using anti-tank guided missiles, the Dozor-600 becomes largely similar to the American MQ-1B Predator, both in technical characteristics and in the composition of its weapons.

Heavy attack unmanned aerial vehicle project. The development of the research topic “Hunter” to study the possibility of creating an attack UAV weighing up to 20 tons in the interests of the Russian Air Force was or is being carried out by the Sukhoi company (JSC Sukhoi Design Bureau). For the first time, the plans of the Ministry of Defense to adopt an attack UAV were announced at the MAKS-2009 air show in August 2009. According to a statement by Mikhail Pogosyan in August 2009, the design of a new attack unmanned system was to be the first joint work of the respective departments of the Sukhoi and MiG Design Bureaus (project " Skat"). The media reported the conclusion of a contract for the implementation of the Okhotnik research work with the Sukhoi company on July 12, 2011. In August 2011, the merger of the relevant divisions of RSK MiG and Sukhoi to develop a promising strike UAV was confirmed in the media, but the official agreement between MiG " and "Sukhoi" were signed only on October 25, 2012.

The terms of reference for the strike UAV were approved by the Russian Ministry of Defense on the first of April 2012. On July 6, 2012, information appeared in the media that the Sukhoi company had been selected by the Russian Air Force as the lead developer. An unnamed industry source also reports that the strike UAV developed by Sukhoi will simultaneously be a sixth-generation fighter. As of mid-2012, it is expected that the first sample of the strike UAV will begin testing no earlier than 2016. It is expected to enter service by 2020. In 2012, JSC VNIIRA carried out a selection of patent materials on the topic of R&D “Hunter”, and in In the future, it was planned to create navigation systems for landing and taxiing heavy UAVs on the instructions of Sukhoi Company OJSC (source).

Media reports that the first sample of a heavy attack UAV named after the Sukhoi Design Bureau will be ready in 2018.

Combat use (otherwise they will say exhibition copies are Soviet junk)

“For the first time in the world, the Russian Armed Forces carried out an attack on a fortified area of ​​militants with combat drones. In the province of Latakia, army units of the Syrian army, with the support of Russian paratroopers and Russian combat drones, took the strategic height of 754.5, the Siriatel tower.

More recently, the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, General Gerasimov, said that Russia is striving to completely robotize the battle, and perhaps soon we will witness how robotic groups independently conduct military operations, and this is what happened.

In Russia in 2013 it was adopted airborne weapons the latest automated control system "Andromeda-D", with which you can carry out operational control of a mixed group of troops.
The use of the latest high-tech equipment allows the command to ensure continuous control of troops performing combat training missions at unfamiliar training grounds, and the Airborne Forces command to monitor their actions, being at a distance of more than 5 thousand kilometers from their deployment sites, receiving from the training area not only a graphic picture of the moving units, but also video images of their actions in real time.

Depending on the tasks, the complex can be mounted on the chassis of a two-axle KamAZ, BTR-D, BMD-2 or BMD-4. In addition, taking into account the specifics of the Airborne Forces, Andromeda-D is adapted for loading into an aircraft, flight and landing.
This system, as well as combat drones, were deployed to Syria and tested in combat conditions.
Six Platform-M robotic systems and four Argo systems took part in the attack on the heights; the drone attack was supported by Akatsiya self-propelled artillery units (SPGs) recently deployed to Syria, which can destroy enemy positions with overhead fire.

From the air, behind the battlefield, drones conducted reconnaissance, transmitting information to the deployed Andromeda-D field center, as well as to Moscow to the National Defense Control Center of the command post of the Russian General Staff.

Combat robots, self-propelled guns, and drones were linked to the Andromeda-D automated control system. The commander of the attack to the heights, in real time, led the battle, the operators of combat drones, being in Moscow, led the attack, everyone saw both their own area of ​​​​the battle and the whole picture as a whole.

The drones were the first to attack, approaching 100-120 meters to the militants’ fortifications, they called fire on themselves, and immediately attacked the detected firing points with self-propelled guns.

Behind the drones, at a distance of 150-200 meters, Syrian infantry advanced, clearing the heights.

The militants did not have the slightest chance, all their movements were controlled by drones, artillery strikes were carried out on the discovered militants, literally 20 minutes after the start of the attack by combat drones, the militants fled in horror, abandoning the dead and wounded. On the slopes of height 754.5, almost 70 militants were killed, there were no dead Syrian soldiers, only 4 wounded.”