Russia has tested the famous Orion drone in a new quality. Over the landfill in the Crimea, a drone shot down another drone with a rocket, which was 100 kilometers away from it. Such tests show that Orion is close to combat readiness, and a successful air attack will make it even more attractive to foreign customers, writes The Drive.
Following the news about the aerial combat of the drone, there were reports of an X-UAV missile developed for drones based on the Kornet ATGM ammunition. Its missiles use a laser guidance channel, thermal and television channels have been added to the option for drones. Orion is normally equipped with a module with an optoelectronic guidance system, a laser designator and a television channel. In addition, the new missile will be able to use the UAV "Outpost" and "Altius", as well as the upgraded Ka-52M helicopter. All of them successfully tested this weapon, the helicopter performed more than ten launches.
All this, coupled with the comment by General of the Russian General Staff Alexander Novikov that Orion is capable of shooting down Turkish Bayraktar and other drones, can be seen as a clear signal from Moscow to foreign partners of varying degrees of loyalty. This information is also important for potential customers of the Russian drone and will help it compete in the international market.
Anton Valagin