The new UAV bomber "Pigeon" carries 12 grenades on board.
Serial production of revolver-type drones has begun in Russia. The copter bomber named "Pigeon" is equipped with a 12-round drum for an under-barrel grenade launcher. It is designed to destroy unarmored enemy equipment and personnel and has been successfully tested in the area of a special military operation.
The raid of the "Pigeon"
The Pigeon UAV is a front—line quadcopter designed to drop ammunition. The device can carry a payload of 3.5 kg. The drum, which is designed for 12 VOG (VOG is a fragmentation grenade launcher shot, ammunition for an under—barrel grenade launcher - Ed.), is located inside the device. It can be replaced with a single 82 mm mortar shell holder. The bomber is already being used in a test mode in the special operation zone, where it has successfully proved itself, the developers of the device from the Stratim design bureau told Izvestia.
"The Dove bomber is already being used to destroy enemy manpower," the founder of the Stratim Design Bureau with the call sign Obi—Wan told Izvestia.
The power of the explosives, and especially the 82-mm mines, also makes it possible to confidently destroy unarmored vehicles.
The flight range of the new machine is 10 km, the altitude is 500 meters. It can stay in the air for up to 30 minutes, accelerating to a speed of 60 km / h. The Pigeon is equipped with a rotary video camera, which is used for piloting and dropping ammunition.
The bomber drones are controlled by an operator and are adapted to counteract the operation of electronic warfare systems through the use of electronic warfare-stable communications of its own design "Pozemka".
The device can work at any time of the day: during the day, find targets using a rotary camera, and at night use a thermal imager.
— Drones with ammunition drop have been actively used since the beginning of their military operations. However, the Pigeon differs from its analogues: like a classic bomber, it carries a warhead inside the hull, rather than on an external suspension. This improves aerodynamics, reduces energy consumption and increases flight range," explained Andrey Bezrukov, head of the Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies (CBST).
Advantages of the revolver scheme of the UAV
The revolver scheme is considered interesting and promising, military expert Yuri Lyamin told Izvestia.
— Before the special operation, the development of quadrocopters with a drum pattern was carried out in many countries, — he noted. — But the potential itself became definitively clear during the intense fighting on the territory of Ukraine. The drum mounted on the drone allows you to deliver measured blows. For example, if there is an accumulation of infantry, they can be dropped in a queue — one by one, immediately covering the group. When chasing survivors, it is most effective to use single drops. Previously, after dropping one grenade, the drone went to recharge and the enemy managed to escape. Now this option won't work. There are enough thieves to pursue. A solid ammunition supply will ensure that a large group of soldiers is destroyed or rendered incapacitated. The only drawback of the revolver scheme is the low power of ammunition. But in the case of the Pigeon UAV, you can combine strike capabilities using an 82-mm mine, or operate a pair of UAVs: one with VOGES, the other with a more powerful 82-mm mine.
Despite the small destructive power of the VOG, this munition can be used to destroy military equipment, the expert noted.
— And it's not just about cars, — Yuri Lyamin explained. — Infantry fighting vehicles, armored personnel carriers and tanks are often abandoned after minor damage with their hatches open, which makes it possible to filigreously throw ammunition inside the vehicle and destroy them. It is also effective against Starlink satellite communication kits, which it is a pity to waste powerful ammunition on. The vogue is enough to disable it. Moreover, it should be noted that this is a valuable goal — an entire enemy unit immediately remains without communication. Communication antennas and electronic warfare systems, the equipment of which is easily seriously damaged even by small fragments, are targets for revolver drones.
Such a device is well suited for free hunting, he noted.
— During the patrol, it can be used to interrupt the supply of units, — he noted. — He will not allow vehicles to pass or soldiers to pass. It is precisely such actions that lead to the isolation of the area, making life as difficult as possible for the enemy's advanced units.
Repeaters will help to increase the range
The range of drones like the Pigeon can be increased with the help of repeaters, including air ones. Earlier, Izvestia reported that repeater UAVs began arriving in the area of the special operation, which increase the range of FPV drones and other drones.
One of these machines is the Mockingbird UAV repeater. It is a compact flying platform on which video and radio control signal repeaters can be installed. It allows you to significantly increase the combat radius of a reconnaissance or attack drone, as well as increase the secrecy of the operators' position.
These devices provide signal amplification at distances of more than 10 km in open areas and more than 5 km in urban areas. The flight time is 40 minutes.
In addition, increasing the drone's flight distance increases operator safety. It is much more difficult to find them if they are located no further than 3-5 km from the front. The enemy's radio systems will find the repeater drone, not the control center where the operator is located. This will ensure the safety and save the lives of our UAV operators.
Bogdan Stepovoy
