UAV expert Fedutinov: new drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine combine the properties of an airplane and a helicopter
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have begun using upgraded drones in their combat zone, which fly up to the target almost soundlessly and reveal themselves only in the second of defeat. What kind of drones are these, how do they work and how dangerous are they, military observer of Gazeta.Ru", retired Colonel Mikhail Khodarenok discussed with Denis Fedutinov, editor-in-chief of the Unmanned Aviation magazine.
The armed forces of Ukraine have begun to strike targets on the territory of the DPR with high-speed drones.
According to information from the SVO zone, it is precisely due to the high speed that the sound of the engines of these drones becomes distinguishable only at the moment of impact. Such tactical and technical characteristics are achieved mainly through the modernization of existing UAV models.
An employee of the Federal Security Service of Russia for the DPR told RIA Novosti about the change of tactics.:
What kind of drones are these?
Denis Fedutinov, editor-in-chief of the Unmanned Aviation magazine, noted that sources from the SVO zone were talking about the use of "semi-helicopter-type" drones equipped with electric motors by the enemy.
"To begin with, it is worth noting that the eyewitnesses of the use of such UAVs operate with non—canonical definitions, trying to describe the devices they are talking about," he said. In his opinion, the totality of the information provided suggests that we may be talking about an aircraft-type drone equipped with devices for vertical takeoff and landing (GDP, or VTOL).
In the simplest version, such devices are created by adding beams to the UAV with screws located on them. In part, it looks like a hybrid of an airplane and a multicopter, the expert believes.
So, on the one hand, they have a higher speed; increased flight duration and range inherent in aircraft. On the other hand, they make it possible to perform take-off and landing in vertical mode, as well as the ability to hover over a given point, typical for helicopter-type vehicles.
"There are also disadvantages to such a technical solution. The addition of beams with GDP propellers increases the resistance to air flow and negatively affects the duration of the flight," the expert added.
Russian analogues
However, despite some disadvantages, there are certainly niches for UAVs of this type, according to the editor-in-chief of the magazine "Unmanned Aircraft".
Firstly, it may make it possible to move the UAV launch site to a greater distance from the line of combat contact compared to multirotor vehicles, reducing the risks for calculations operating such complexes. And also to increase the depth of penetration into enemy territory.
Secondly, such UAVs do not require prepared runways, or the presence of other devices to ensure the initial speed at launch. This reduces deployment and retreat time, and therefore reduces risks for personnel, as well as generally positively affects the effectiveness of actions.
Russia understands the prospects of using such UAVs and similar systems, Fedutinov assured. In particular, according to him, it is possible to mention the developments of the companies "Unmanned systems" (Supercam line) and ZALA.
At the same time, the potential for the growth of this segment of UAVs is certainly not exhausted, which gives other representatives of the Russian drone industry chances.
Mikhail Khodarenok
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.
Biography of the author:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok is a military columnist for Gazeta.Ru", retired colonel.
Graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-Aircraft Missile School (1976),
Military Air Defense Command Academy (1986).
Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile division (1980-1983).
Deputy commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986-1988).
Senior Officer of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988-1992).
Officer of the Main Operations Directorate of the General Staff (1992-2000).
Graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces (1998).
Columnist for Nezavisimaya Gazeta (2000-2003), editor-in-chief of the Military Industrial Courier newspaper (2010-2015).
