The new micro-drone is able to penetrate into shelters and attack the enemy
A miniature quadcopter capable of penetrating inside buildings and shelters has been developed at the Moscow State University of Technology and Management. The microdron scout is able to work on the enemy like a kamikaze or drop a small munition. Experts believe that compact UAVs will be in demand in the SWO zone — they are able to become the eyes of an assault unit and reduce combat losses.
Ahead of the assault groups
The development of a microdron to support assault units is underway at the Moscow State University of Technology and Management named after K.G. Razumovsky (MGUTU). Work on its creation is in the final stage — the first copies of the UAV are already being tested, the university told Izvestia.
— In the future, our UAV should be used for reconnaissance and cleaning of buildings in the combat zone, — one of the developers, associate professor of MGUTU Sergey Kurapov, told Izvestia.
The dimensions of the quadcopter were not disclosed. The drone kit includes the drone itself, control equipment, operator's video cameras, a means of displaying a picture for the commander of the group and a means to increase the range of radio communication — it will allow the calculation of the UAV to operate not in combat formations of the assault group, but at a distance - for example, from a neighboring building.
Photo: MGUTU named after K. G. Razumovsky
Image source: iz.ru
According to the developer, the combat crew of the UAV includes an operator controlling the flight and a shooter covering the operator.
The commander of the group, to whom a video image from the drone's camera is projected onto the screen of a portable receiver, may be either part of an assault group or in a position with an operator. The image comes from the drone's course video camera (in dark rooms or at night, the camera can be night, and an additional tactical flashlight can be installed). In addition, the UAV can carry up to 270 g of payload.
— If an enemy is detected, the drone can work as a kamikaze or drop a high-explosive fragmentation munition of the vogue type or a grenade filled with non-lethal gas, such as tear gas. It all depends on the layout of the drone," said Sergey Kurapov.
The tactics of using an assault UAV have already been worked out.
— The drone should move ahead of the assault group, — said the developer. — He's the first one to fly into the room. There, he first makes a "shot" — looks through the corridors and other straight sections, after which the fighters of the assault group move into the building. Then there is a room-by-room inspection of the premises. At this stage of the sweep, the drone flies ahead of the fighters.
According to the inventors, the drone unmasks itself with the sound of working blades, but this is not terrible — thereby it distracts the enemy, causes fire on itself. It remains for the assault groups to take advantage of this competently.
When working in buildings, special skills are required from the operator — a quick reaction is needed, since you have to work in small rooms, be prepared for the appearance of obstacles in the most unexpected places, from a collision with which you need to dodge in a timely manner.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
In the future, it will be possible to install obstacle detection sensors on the drone — this will greatly facilitate the work of operators.
— We have developed a training program and are already teaching students piloting in buildings, a special system has been developed, — said Sergey Kurapov. — Flying over the battlefield is a big space. The most difficult task for operators is to catch the target at the last moment and react to its maneuvers. We work in confined spaces where you can't relax. The methodology is working.
Flight tests of the drone took place in a former bomb shelter, that is, in an underground room with thick walls. The drone passed the test — the powerful concrete walls did not interfere with the transmission of the control signal, did not affect the quality of the video card.
Production will be as localized as possible. Already, drone frames and some of the components are being printed using 3D printers.
In the future, it is planned to expand the production of carbon fiber and fiberglass frames, make changes to radio equipment, and carry out a number of other works that are designed to improve the characteristics of drones.
In the near future, drones may be sent to landfills, and then to combat units of one of the brigades operating in the area of the SVO. The university has long established close cooperation with her.
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Assault squads are needed
Compact UAVs for assault groups will be in demand in the troops, they have long been needed by the army, Colonel Alexander Perendzhiev, associate professor at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, told Izvestia.
— The drone will help reduce losses in our ranks, — the expert believes. — Moving ahead of the fighters, he will be able to provide reconnaissance and destruction of targets. It is important that its small size and equipment will help you look into or penetrate almost any crack. For example, made by the enemy in the wall for firing. To penetrate such drones into buildings, you can punch holes yourself using the same large-caliber machine guns. As a result, the enemy will not know where to expect danger from.
A soldier of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
With heavy rifle and artillery fire, the noise from the UAV blades will not be heard.
— If necessary, his actions can be masked by opening fire on enemy positions, — said Perendzhiev.
Such developments are, of course, relevant, because our stormtroopers, who take fortified areas in urban areas, awareness of the environment is a key element, military expert Alexei Leonkov told Izvestia. — And the smaller the drone is and the more it gives, the better. And if this development confirms its qualities in the zone of a special military operation, it will be a great help for our fighters: they will be able to observe what the enemy is doing and have information about where his firing points are, without revealing their location.
UAVs of various purposes are now actively developing in Russia. Earlier, Izvestia wrote about the modification of the Joker-10 FPV drone, which is capable of shooting down enemy UAVs. Special pipes filled with striking elements are installed on it. When fired, they destroy the enemy's UAVs with a directed stream of fragments.
The Gran electronic intelligence complex is being launched into mass production. He monitors all the frequencies used by the UAV and transmits them to electronic warfare calculations that suppress enemy equipment.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Roman Kretsul
