Thanks to satellite communications, specialists will increase the radius of application of the Orion-E unmanned vehicle. Now the radio channel allows you to use it at a distance of up to 250 kilometers.
Russia is increasing the capabilities of the new Orion-E UAV. Equipping the device with satellite communications will significantly increase the radius of its application.
"Orion-E" with a satellite terminal was presented at the military-technical forum "Army-2021". According to Sergey Bogatikov, General Director of Kronshtadt JSC (UAV developer), thanks to the new system, data from the device can be received anywhere on Earth.
Now the radio channel allows you to control the Orion-E UAV at a range of up to 250 kilometers. According to official data, the drone is offered for export as a reconnaissance vehicle. At the same time, the Russian Armed Forces receive it in the optional shock configuration.
"Orion" in the shock version
Image source: Ministry of Defense
"Orion" has already been tested in combat conditions. Back in February, footage of the use of UAVs in Syria was presented . He performed both reconnaissance and strike missions. According to the military, the Orion systems made it possible to use weapons with the highest accuracy (this, however, cannot be called a feature of only the Russian UAV).
The use of the Orion UAV
Image source: bmpd
The Orion drone made its first flight in 2016. It has an average mass and a long flight duration. The cruising speed is 120 kilometers per hour (according to other sources, 200 kilometers per hour). The payload weight is 200-250 kilograms. The armament includes, in particular, the corrected KAB-20 and KAB-50 aerial bombs, the UPAB-50 guided planning aerial bomb and the X-50 aircraft guided missile. It is possible to use free-falling bombs.
For Russia, Orion is one of the first real steps in the creation of modern attack drones. A much more ambitious project of the Kronstadt company is the high-speed unmanned Thunder complex. He will be able not only to attack targets with his own weapons, but also to coordinate the actions of a swarm of Lightning strike drones. Another aircraft carrier will be able to launch them. Probably, the new fifth-generation Su-57 fighter will play its role.
The "Thunder"layout
Image source: Kronstadt
The take-off weight of the Thunder will be seven tons. The payload weight is from 1.3 to two tons. The cruising speed of the device is 800 kilometers per hour. The range is 800 kilometers.
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