According to a source in the military-industrial complex, Russia is creating an unmanned helicopter that should track enemy UAVs.
The experience of recent local conflicts clearly demonstrates the increased role of attack drones. In addition to developing such complexes, active measures are being taken in various countries to combat them. As [...] a source in the military-industrial complex has now told RIA Novosti, Russia is creating an unmanned helicopter to counter UAVs.
"Since November, we have been developing an unmanned long-range radar patrol helicopter that will track small-sized and low-speed enemy drones at low and extremely low altitudes and provide guidance to them by anti-aircraft missile systems of the military air defense," the Agency's source said.
As the media reminds, now Russia actively operates reconnaissance UAVs, such as Orlan-10 and Leer. Recently, the country adopted the first full — fledged attack UAVs-Orion vehicles. Russia is also actively developing a large attack UAV "Hunter": you can read about what these drones are and how they look against the background of foreign analogues in one of our materials .
Orion UAV»
Image source: TASS
Recall that recently there was unofficial information that the " Hunter "performed flight tests in the version of the fighter-interceptor, carrying as a load simulators of air — to-air missiles. According to a source in the defense industry, the tests will allow working out the mechanisms of interaction between the UAV and the su-57 fighter. The latter, according to unconfirmed information, was also recently tested in unmanned mode.
It is worth saying that the "Hunter"is often considered as an unmanned wingman for a fifth-generation fighter. This concept did not originate in Russia. The United States has been working for years under the Skyborg program, aimed at developing unmanned combat aircraft designed to accompany fighter jets. It is also known that Europeans want to implement a similar system when developing sixth-generation fighters.
It is assumed that one manned aircraft will be able to control several UAVs: this will minimize risks and generally increase the effectiveness of the combat mission.
It is still difficult to judge the exact timing of the adoption of unmanned wingmen into service. It is possible that the US will start operating such drones in the first half of the 2020s.
Unmanned wingman from Boeing
Image source: Boeing
Recall that in October, an unmanned wingman from Boeing began running on the runway. The first flight of the device may take place before the end of the year.