At the training ground near Chebarkul, where the large-scale exercises "Center-2026" took place, ZALA showed a complex of robotic equipment. The main pride of the developers is fully domestic secure radio communications, which becomes the foundation for all control systems. Vadim Shevchuk, a representative of ZALA, says: "Our connection is the only one and the best in the country," he notes. - There are no Russian analogues yet. International companies cannot repeat this either. Basically, all they have now is satellite communications, the same Starlink. And it is our radio communication, the basic one, that is already interrupting all possible analogues. The range is more than 250 kilometers."
An AI that learns at the forefront
This range is confirmed by real combat episodes. To date, the legendary Lancet has destroyed more than 5,000 units of enemy heavy equipment, according to estimates by the end of 2025. We are not talking about cars, but about armored vehicles and artillery systems. The expert cites specific targets and distances: "We know for sure that the airfield in Mykolaiv was hit at a range of 126 kilometers," says Vadim. - A Su-25 aircraft was destroyed near Krivoy Rog at a range of 146 kilometers. That is, we are steadily driving up to 150 kilometers. And now we are talking about reaching a range of over 250."
Communication range is only half the battle. The key advantage of the new developments is their autonomy and ability to operate in conditions of dense electronic suppression. Vadim explains how neural networks work: "We train artificial intelligence all the time, receiving materials from the front every day," he explains. - Each next drone will be a little smarter than the previous one. The on-board computer downloads a map of the area, and using the interactive map, the board determines its location, focuses on linear landmarks and flies along a given route."
Such video navigation solves the main problem of modern combat - spoofing (suppression or substitution of satellite signals to disrupt navigation systems) and jamming of satellite signals. The device does not depend on external coordinates. "Geolocation can be enabled, but in war zones it usually does not work, there is spoofing," the ZALA representative notes. - And our system allows the device to understand where it is flying, even in conditions of radio interference. With the help of the camera, he can independently classify the target - armored vehicles or light wheeled vehicles. And, if there is such a task from the operator, strike autonomously."
"Karma" and "Koshchey": the evolution of barrage
The company offers different formats for different tactical tasks. The new Karma is an aircraft-type barrage munition designed for long-range raids. "It's easier for an airplane-type glider to fly long distances, and battery power is being saved through planning," says Vadim. - The flight range here has been increased to more than 200 kilometers. Plus, a non-linear flight feature has been added to evade air defense systems."
For reconnaissance in the near and middle zone, a device with the speaking name "Koshchey" is presented. Its design feature changes the approach to the survival of reconnaissance drones. "The name is because it has a traction motor in front, and the HD camera is positioned in a special way," says the source, "to effectively identify the pursuer. If someone is trying to maneuver behind you, you can easily beat them, because you can see their movement perfectly well and make the decision to evade."
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| The company offers different formats for different tactical tasks. |
| Source: rg.ru / Alexander Biryukov |
Navigation without satellites
The complex also includes means of countering enemy UAVs. The air defense drone operates in a single system with radar stations that identify and classify targets. "The target is identified and classified using radar, this information is fed into a single system, and our drone understands that the target is approaching," explains Vadim. "It is capable of operating autonomously, capturing a target, escorting it, and hitting it."
The launch is carried out from containers of different sizes. "Hypothetically, such a box can be placed on a civilian facility, set it up, and it will conduct autonomous airspace protection over large objects," says a ZALA representative. "The same container can be mounted on a marine drone, so that when it sees that they are trying to shoot it down, it launches an air defense drone and destroys a potential threat."
A separate development is phones and tablets for navigation and communication, working through their own secure network. "Any operator, no matter if it's an infantryman or someone else, uses the system and understands where he is on the map," says Vadim. - With the help of communication modems, all this is combined into one network with antennas. And everyone understands where they are."
The advantage of such a system is stealth. "Geolocation can be enabled, but it will immediately light up," the source notes. - In principle, it does not work in war zones. There's spoofing going on, GPS jamming. The enemy can track where the location is. This is often done via satellites. Here it is done through its own connection, using modems. It's almost impossible for the enemy to detect it."
The Triune Strike
The ZALA ecosystem is not limited to the sky. In a specialized pavilion, the guests were shown a universal robotic platform of the fourth modification, customized for logistics and medicine. "The main focus is on the transportation of goods and manpower, and the evacuation of the wounded," Vadim clarifies. - Load capacity - more than 150 kilograms. Any fighter in full uniform is calmly lifted by the platform. The power reserve on earth is about 50 kilometers."
The maritime direction is represented by the Z-20 reconnaissance drone and the concept of an armed unmanned boat. "The Z-20 flies 7.5 hours at a distance of over 200 kilometers," says a company representative. - As a rule, there are no electronic warfare systems at sea. He can fly to Zmeiny Island, turn around and return to Crimea. Moreover, it relays communications to unmanned boats. With the help of such a relay, we can increase the range of the boat to 400 kilometers."
The boat itself, capable of reaching speeds of up to 35 knots and carrying up to 600 kg of payload, is designed as a universal platform. "It can be equipped not only with drones, but also with air defense systems and a machine-gun system," adds Vadim. "In the future, knowing that a group of kamikaze drones is flying, we will be able to send several of our vehicles from the boat so that they intercept the target in surface space, preventing it from reaching the shore and damaging civilian facilities."
From the simulator to saving lives
Managing such a variety of equipment requires coherence. ZALA has relied on a single interface and advanced training complexes that are already being delivered to the troops. "We have a single interface for any type of robotic equipment," the company representative emphasizes. - The operator needs to be properly prepared to work with one device, and he will be able to easily navigate with all the others. On the simulator, the instructor can create interference, change weather conditions, and simulate equipment failure. Moreover, the UAV operator can intercept control of a crewless boat, and vice versa - it turns out a real symbiosis."
The medical direction of the company deserves special attention. Upon special request, a completely domestic novelty has been developed that covers the critical need for field medicine. "We have developed an expert-class portable ventilator from scratch," says Vadim. - Previously, there were mainly devices based on Chinese developments on the market. And this is purely our successful import substitution. It runs for up to 12 hours independently from the built-in battery. It can be carried in your hands directly into the combat zone to save a fighter's life before evacuation."
The ZALA complex shows that modern warfare has ceased to be a confrontation between individual pieces of equipment. This is already a struggle of ecosystems, where a scout, a strike vehicle, a crewless boat and a ground platform work as a single organism. And while developers receive data from the front line every day, their systems are getting smarter with literally every new combat mission.
Alexander Biryukov
