Drone after drone. Which drones were shown at Army 2024

New unmanned systems are presented at the Army-2024 forum

The tenth International Military-Technical Forum "Army" has started its work in the Patriot Park near Moscow. From August 12 to 14, more than a thousand domestic and foreign enterprises will present more than 20 thousand product samples at the forum, taking into account the experience of conducting their own. Among them are new air defense systems, radar stations, drones and ammunition. Military observer of the Newspaper.En" Mikhail Khodarenok visited the forum and found out what promising unmanned systems are shown there.

Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov, opening the Army 2024 forum, noted that this year's business and exhibition programs are focused on a focused discussion of the experience of the military and new forms of armed struggle.

This is the first time the Forum has been held without entertainment events. Drones have become the main exhibits on many stands, taking into account their increased role in the conduct of hostilities.

"This circumstance is a reflection of the global trend towards increasing the role of unmanned systems in military affairs. Within the framework of the exhibition, you can clearly observe what trends are taking place in the unmanned industry," he told Gazeta.En" Denis Fedutinov, editor-in-chief of the Unmanned Aviation magazine.

Barrage ammunition

"Barrage ammunition is very actively used in combat conditions - single-use devices equipped with a warhead of various types integrated into the design," the expert stressed.

Thus, Aeroscan JSC demonstrates the Lancet-E barrage ammunition complex at Army 2024, an export version of the famous domestic kamikaze drone, which has proven itself well in real combat conditions.

"The complex includes the Z-16-E reconnaissance UAV, as well as two models of barrage ammunition "Product 51" and "Product 52" with different characteristics, in particular, in terms of range and maximum take-off weight," Fedutinov said.

ZALA Z-16. The maximum take-off weight is 10.5 kg. The type of engine is electric. The communication range is 75 km, the flight duration is 4 hours. The wingspan is 2815 mm

Image source: Mikhail Khodarenok/"Newspaper.Ru"

The ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAV is a time-tested, most popular type of unmanned aircraft in the ZALA production line with resistance to electronic warfare and air defense signals. It is launched from a pneumatic launcher. The increased payload capacity of the aircraft allows additional equipment to be installed on board for a comprehensive analysis of the underlying surface. The broadcast of the video stream in HD format gives the operator of the ground station the opportunity to receive a detailed video image in real time.

"Product 51" and "Product 52" have shown very high efficiency on the battlefield and the ability to hit a wide range of targets - from any type of armored vehicles and fortifications to surface targets. Thanks to this, Lancets have great export potential today.

Product 52 developed by ZALA ("Lancet") is designed to defeat ground vehicles and other key targets on the front line and behind enemy lines. It is an intelligent multitasking weapon that is capable of independently finding a given target and hitting it. Communication range - 30 km, speed - 80 km / h, warhead weight - 3 kg.

Image source: Mikhail Khodarenok/"Newspaper.Ru"

Reconnaissance UAVs

"The fighting in Ukraine has shown the significant role of unmanned aerial vehicles of light classes in the operational provision of units with specific intelligence information," Fedutinov emphasized.

Among the UAV systems actively used in the military, we can mention the family of "Supercam" drones. The company's product line includes such aircraft-type devices as the Supercam S100, Supercam S150, Supercam S250, Supercam S350, Supercam S450, made according to the most widely used "flying wing" scheme in the company. Helicopter-type devices of the Supercam X4 and Supercam X6M2 multirotor schemes and the hybrid scheme - Supercam SX300H and Supercam SX350 are also presented.

Supercams are operated not only in Russia, but also in other countries. So, the Supercam S150 model is used to supply the Armed Forces of Belarus, it is used in many tasks, including border protection. Supplies are also being carried out to Angola, Pakistan, Nigeria, etc.

A curious development - the OG-180 UAV - is being shown this year at the Army by BAS Glory Air LLC, a joint venture between Glory Air and UAC (Rostec State Corporation).

This effective means of objective control, intelligence and monitoring using AI technologies allows you to minimize the role of the human factor when performing tasks over long distances for a long time. The application is possible both during the day and at night. Information from the target load is transmitted to the operator's console in real time.

The direction of multirotor (with more than two rotors) drones is also developing. The need for reconnaissance and surveillance, as well as cargo delivery in urban areas or in wooded areas where the use of aircraft-type devices is difficult, brings systems of this kind to the fore.

An unmanned aerial vehicle of the hexacopter type "Buran" developed by JSC Kotlin-Innovator. The design of the copter with six screws provides high stability and increased survivability. The payload is up to 80 kg. Flight time at maximum takeoff weight is 22 min.

Image source: Mikhail Khodarenok/"Newspaper.Ru"

According to Fedutinov, reliance on UAV models purchased in China has its obvious risks. Russian companies have developed many systems of this type in recent years to ensure the possibility of import substitution. Among them, for example, the Kotlin-Innovator "Wind", X-89 and "Buran" systems exhibited at the "Army".

The Veter UAV is a 1.5-kilogram quadcopter capable of carrying a payload of up to 1 kg (one F-1 hand grenade or two RGD-5 grenades). Flight time is up to 40 minutes. The range is up to 20 km. Its main purpose is to conduct reconnaissance with the possibility of combat use.

An unmanned aerial vehicle of the X-89 quadrocopter type developed by JSC Kotlin-Innovator. A shock-reconnaissance quadcopter with an interference-proof connection and a payload of up to 12 kg. Flight time is up to 32 minutes. The range is up to 20 km.

Image source: Mikhail Khodarenok/"Newspaper.Ru"

The second drone, the X-89, has a mass of 15 kg, it is capable of carrying a payload weighing up to 12 kg at a range of up to 20 km. The X-89 has an interference-proof, image-resistant encrypted covert communication channel with functions of a direct sequence of spectrum expansion and pseudo-random tuning of the operating frequency. The X-89 can rise to a height of up to 3 thousand m. The cruising speed of the device is 64 km / h.

Heavy drones

Drones of heavier categories are also in demand now. Among them, in particular, is the Outpost UAV, which is actively used in the area of its own.

A few years ago, the project to create an "Outpost" was successfully completed - the complex passed all the necessary tests, after which serial deliveries to the troops began. At the same time, the developers continued to improve the system.

"The duration of the UAV flight was increased, as well as the reconnaissance functionality of the complex was expanded: radar and electronic reconnaissance capabilities were added, which significantly increased its ability to identify targets," Fedutinov said.

UAV "Outpost-R"

Image source: Evgeny Biyatov/RIA Novosti

In addition, the drone was able to carry its own weapons. Yes, the combat load is not significant, but the ability to quickly hit a detected priority target in modern highly dynamic combat operations has become a very valuable addition.

Also at the forum, a high-speed Thunder attack drone was presented, which is capable of hitting air defense systems with anti-radar missiles and acting as a wingman in the attacking echelon of aircraft. This UAV can drop up to 2000 kg of cargo (adjustable aircraft bombs of caliber 100, 250 and 500 kg, aircraft guided missiles of caliber 100 and 500 kg).

"Unmanned aerial vehicles today are one of the most dangerous threats to personnel, weapons and military equipment. At the present stage of the armed struggle, it is these systems that cause the greatest damage to manpower and weapons at the forefront. The armed forces of almost any country turned out to be unprepared for confrontation with FPV drones. Therefore, such attention is paid to developments in the field of unmanned systems at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2024", - concluded Fedutinov.

Mikhail Khodarenok