UAVs in Russian Armed Forces: News #2

American edition: Russia launches new drone that outperforms Iranian drones Shahed

Russia will put into production a new drone, much faster than the currently used "Iranian" Shahed drones, called "Geran" in the Russian army. The new plant will be opened in Tatarstan. It is reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The American publication claims that Russia is launching a new production of drones, which will be assembled at a plant in Yelabuga. Iran will allegedly play a big role in the opening of the plant, and it will produce, as you might guess, "Iranian" drones. The $1 billion deal was signed by Moscow and Tehran at the end of November last year.

According to the newspaper, Iran is moving its production of drones to Russia in order to protect itself from possible sanctions that Western countries may impose for the supply of weapons to the Russian army.

Earlier in Kyiv, it was repeatedly stated that Russia allegedly uses Iranian Shahed-136 and Shahed-131 drones, which received the Russian names "Geran-2" and "Geran-1". It was stated that Moscow allegedly bought 2,400 drones from Tehran to strike at Ukraine. Later, Ukrainian experts who examined the wreckage of downed and triggered drones found that it was impossible to determine the place of production by the filling. And CNN reporters said that of the 52 Shahed-136 parts, 40 were made in the United States, while the rest of the components were made in Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan and China. They even found Russian relays and board mounts.

The Shahed-136 drone is quite simple to manufacture, and its electronic filling is very good, clearly designed for improvement in the future, as they say, the drone is made with a perspective. It is not ruled out that while the Geran drone attacking alone, it will be able to attack in a swarm in the near future.

https://topwar-ru.translate.goog/210291-amerikanskoe-izdanie-rossija-zapuskaet-v-proizvodstvo-novyj-bespilotnik-prevoshodjaschij-iranskie-bespilotniki-shahed.html?_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en

Sarcasm

American edition: Russia launches new drone that outperforms Israeli drones Forepost

Russia will put into production a new drone, much faster than the currently used "Israeli" Forpost drones, called "Forpost R" in the Russian army. The new plant will be opened in Tatarstan. It is reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The American publication claims that Russia is launching a new production of drones, which will be assembled at a plant in Yelabuga. Israel will allegedly play no role in the opening of the plant, and it will produce, as you might guess, "Russian" drones. The $100 billion deal was signed by Moscow and Tel Aviv at the end of November last year.

According to the newspaper, Iran is moving its production of drones to Russia in order to protect itself from possible sanctions that Western countries may impose for the supply of weapons to the Russian army. (Does not make sense because Iran has been under western sanctions for a rather long time now and have plenty of ways of bypassing western sanctions, often helped by western companies wanting to sell their products.)

Earlier in Kyiv, it was repeatedly stated that Russia allegedly uses Israeli Forpost drones, which received the Russian name "Forpost R". It was stated that Moscow allegedly bought drones from Tel Aiv. Later, Ukrainian experts who examined the wreckage of downed and triggered drones found that it was impossible to determine the place of production by the filling. And CNN reporters said that of the Forpost parts, 40 were made in the United States, while the rest of the components were made in Canada, Switzerland, Japan, Taiwan and China. They even found Russian relays and board mounts.

The Forpost drone is quite simple to manufacture, and its electronic filling is very good, clearly designed for improvement in the future, as they say, the drone is made with a perspective. It is not ruled out that while the Forpost R drone attacking alone, it will be able to attack in a swarm in the near future.

/Sarcasm

Everyone copies everyone else when it comes to designs of drones, most of which look like everyone elses... much the same as many modern twin engined fighter aircraft look like MiG-25s...

WOW!
That is a sensation!
They will make it?
So fast!?
Already!?
Geee! I am shocked!


Now seriously ...
Forpost-R is Russified version of the IAI Searcher.
Israel supplied 11 sets with 3 drones each in a disassembled state, being assembled at UZGA plant in Yaketyrenburg.
The Russian upgrade uses Russian made components, including new electrooptical head with better resolution and new engine, APD-85.
An interesting fact is that Israeli Searcher uses Limbach L550, which cloned equivalent Iranians are using for Shaheed-136 drones.

Forpost-R was ordered by the Russian MoD in early 2020 already, 10 sets with 33 aircraft. Official declaration was made in Feb 2020, with delivery till 2023. After the order will be fulfilled, another one for 18 sets/54 planes will be carried.
So most probably WSJ is calling the following order, missing that the system is already serially used by Russian army for years.

Actually I just modified the US article pointing out they complain about Iran cooperating with Russia in drone technology but have said nothing about teh Israeli drones Russia licence produce and probably learned most of their basic skills regarding drones from... it was sarcasm.

The Forpost-R is also different from the Israeli product because it is not a UAV any more it is a UCAV with Kornet missiles and KAB-20 bombs in its armory.

The Israelis stopped providing components for the forpost in 2015 or there abouts so all drones produced since then have used Russian and other parts substituted...

Most of HATO don't produce their own drones and buy off the shelf from allies, the number of countries that can actually make their own drones for themselves completely (all the components) is actually rather short... Even Turkish drones need foreign parts and engines and things, so all this BS about stupid Russia needing Iranian or Chinese or North Korean drones is just BS.

Having said that they would be stupid to not test drones from other countries and if they find drones that are suitable to their needs then it makes sense to buy a licence to produce them locally like they seem to have done with Israeli and Iranian drones.

Anyone can make a shit drone, it is making decent ones that is the problem and as I said the number of countries that can make decent drones of any size is small.

Forpost had a practical load of 100kg.
Same as Searcher, because it is the same thing only assembled in Russia from Israeli delivered parts.
I'm not sure if Russkie ever considered arming it Honestly never checked for that.
Forpost-R was designed to carry a different weapon from the beginning, that is why the new electrooptical head was provided, with better TI and longer ranged/more powerful laser emitter.

BMPD

Plans for the construction of a plant for the production of Iranian UAVs in Yelabuga




The American newspaper "The Wall Street Journal" in the material Dion Nissenbaum and Warren P. Strobe "Moscow, Tehran Advance Plans for Iranian-Designed Drone Facility in Russia. The two countries are deepening a military partnership that has alarmed the West" ("Moscow and Tehran is moving ahead with plans to set up a plant to produce Iranian-designed unmanned aerial vehicles in Russia. The two countries are deepening a military partnership that is increasingly worrying to the West") reports on a joint Russian-Iranian project to build a plant for the production of unmanned aerial vehicles in Yelabuga, Tatarstan and loitering ammunition of Iranian development.

Moscow and Tehran are advancing on plans to build a new factory in Russia that could manufacture at least 6,000 Iranian-designed drones for the war in Ukraine, officials from the U.S.-linked country said, signaling deepening cooperation between the two countries. .
As part of the emerging military alliance, a high-ranking Iranian delegation flew to Russia in early January to visit a planned site for the plant and
work out the details of launching the project. Both countries are aiming to develop a faster drone that could create new challenges for Ukraine's air defenses, officials said.

Tehran has already provided hundreds of drones to Moscow, with which it has used to strike military and civilian targets in Ukraine, US officials said. And the Biden administration has warned that Russia and Iran are developing a "full-fledged defense partnership."

The White House said Moscow has been training Iranian pilots to fly Russian jet fighters, which it intends to deliver to Tehran by the end of the year.

In December, the White House warned that Moscow and Tehran were considering setting up a joint production line to produce drones in Russia.

Now, from a country allied with the United States, talks have turned into concrete plans, officials say, with a January 5 visit [by an Iranian delegation] to the Russian city of Yelabuga, about 600 miles east of Moscow. The Iranians visited a vacant site where the leaders of the two countries are planning to build a new plant that will be able to produce at least 6,000 drones in the coming years.

Officials said the Iranian delegation was led by Brigadier General Abdollah Mehrabi, head of the Jihad Research and Self-Sustainment Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, and Ghasem Damavandyan, executive director of Iran's Qods Aviation Industries, a key defense manufacturer that the US believes plays a central role in role in the development and production of drones in Iran.

Russian and Iranian officials did not respond to requests for comment.

So far, Iran has supplied Russia mainly with so-called Shahed-136 kamikaze [loitering munitions] drones containing a small explosive charge that detonates when the drone hits a target, according to US and Ukrainian officials.

Russia has used these drones to strike Ukraine's power grid in an attempt to disable the country's power and electricity supply during the cold winter and sap morale. After some time, Ukraine's air defense managed to largely neutralize the threat of drones. The Shahed-136 is a slow and noisy drone with a propeller engine, making it relatively easy to spot and shoot down. Ukraine has shot down more than 540 drones since they began appearing in the country's skies last fall, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Now, officials say, Iran is working with Russia to develop an upgrade to the Shahed-136 that is expected to include a new engine so it can fly faster and farther. The new plant [in Yelabuga] will produce this upgraded drone. This could create new problems for Ukraine and other countries that could become targets for these drones.

Earthworks at the plant have not yet begun, so this production line is not expected to have an immediate impact on the balance of power in Ukraine, where there are signs of Russian intentions to launch a new offensive in the coming weeks.

The drone factory is part of a $1 billion deal between Russia and Iran, officials said. Moscow has provided Iran with weapons captured from the battlefield in Ukraine, which they are trying to replicate, officials said.

The US warned that Iran had also agreed to supply ballistic missiles to Moscow. So far, however, according to US officials and their allies, there is no indication that Tehran has sent such missiles to Russia.

Russia and Iran continue to develop closer ties in various areas. The two countries recently connected their interbank payment messaging systems, paving the way for all Iranian banks to transact with Russian lenders. Both countries face strict international sanctions against their banking industries.

Coincidentally, on January 6, the day after Iranian officials flew to Russia to negotiate a drone factory, the US imposed economic sanctions on Damavandyan.
This head of the Iranian aviation industry is accused by America of overseeing Iran's supply of drones to Russia and training Russian forces in the handling of these weapons. The US imposed economic sanctions on Brigadier General Mehrabi in 2021 when America accused the Iranian military leader of directing the production and procurement of special engines for Iran's fleet of drones.

A colleague of imp_navigator in the material "6000 drones" about this publication says:

The Wall Street Journal writes that in early January, an Iranian delegation visited Russian Yelabuga at the site where they will build a new joint venture for the production of UAVs with an indicated production volume of 6,000 drones (but it is not clear how long). including they write that allegedly they will be producing a new, faster version of kamikaze drones, which is now being developed by Iran and Russia.

The composition of the Iranian delegation is interesting, which, again, according to information from The Wall Street Journal, visited Yelabuga in January on the site for the construction of a Russian plant. Firstly, if the head of the Organization for Jihad Research and Self-Sufficiency of the Aerospace Forces of the IRGC really came, then this once again indicates a very high level of trust between the parties, since this person directly oversees many key developments not only in the field of UAVs, but also Iranian ballistic and cruise missiles. Secondly, if there was an executive director of Qods Aviation Industries, then it is probably not only about kamikaze drones .. Qods Aviation Industries is the developer and manufacturer of Mohajer drones.

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/4655089.html

I will only remind, that a factory producing Ababil-2 drones has been opened in May 2022 in Dushanbe

I think it was in 2020 or 2021 that Rakhmon appointed his daughter or daughter in law as the ambassador to Great Britain

In other words he wanted a secure channel to them through someone he could trust. Wonder what he has to hide?

Can't count on Tajikistan in other words to help Russia out with anything. I don't know the actual extent of their present co-operation but I'd imagine it's effectively limited to just the Afghan border.
The other place in Central Asia with Russian bases is Kyrgyzstan, but that country undergoes a fresh colour revolution every few years so you can forget about them too

The only ally Russia has in the ex-Soviet space aside from various break-away territories is Belarus, including in arms industry co-operation; but the stability of their government is yet to be determined if it comes to them taking on any kind of active role in the war.

February 10, 01:03
New equipment of the RF Armed Forces

Hexacopter "Shershen" is planned to be put into mass production in April
Drone developed at NIIVK them. Kartseva, can be used to disperse illegal mass events using infrasound

MOSCOW, 10 February. /TASS/. The newest Shershen hexacopter will be put into mass production in April 2023. This was announced to TASS by the head of the laboratory of external piloting and operation of unmanned aircraft of the Scientific Research Institute of Computer Complexes (NIIVK) named after V.I. M. A Kartseva Vitaly Dolgov.

“Currently, the Shershn is being tested, 10 flights have already taken place. In the near future, the target equipment of the drone will be tested, and some modifications to the hull will also have to be carried out. In general, the hexacopter is almost ready. it is planned to produce five copies," Dolgov noted.

“In April, we plan to demonstrate the Shershen to representatives of the RF Ministry of Defense, within the framework of which the hexacopter will be officially tested,” the specialist emphasized.

Drone developed at NIIVK them. Kartsev, can be used to disperse illegal mass events using infrasound, as well as the radar load of unmanned aerial vehicles. In addition, the hexacopter can be used in the oil and gas sector and in emergency situations. Earlier it was reported that the capabilities of the drone were tested on a group of 100 volunteers.

https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/17014769

February 11, 01:10

The developer spoke about the features of the new RUD-250 drone
It is characterized by low cost, high speed and invulnerability to electronic warfare guns, said the head of the laboratory for external piloting and operation of unmanned aircraft of the Scientific Research Institute of Computer Complexes named after. M.A. Kartseva Vitaly Dolgov


MOSCOW, 11 February. /TASS/. The new reconnaissance and strike drone (RUD-250), which is currently being tested in the zone of a special military operation (SVO), is characterized by low cost, is invulnerable to electronic warfare guns (EW) and develops high speed, the head of the laboratory for external piloting and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles told TASS. aircraft of the Scientific Research Institute of Computing Systems (NIIVK) named after. M.A. Kartseva Vitaly Dolgov.

Five devices of this type are being tested in the special operation zone, drones fly without the use of a GPS navigation system. "These drones are supplied in sets of five and cost about 300,000 rubles, depending on the performance characteristics. It includes spare batteries, tools, goggles, and so on. It's not a pity to use this drone one way. We received a request to create a device that would be like a small bee: it rushes at high speed without GPS, and you can attach something to it," Dolgov said.

RUD-250 is capable of flying at speeds up to 170 km/h. According to the expert, the maximum payload of the drone is 1.5 kg. “At the same time, in real work, the load goes up to 800 g, but we carried out the tests at maximum load. If you attach 1.5 kg to the drone, it will calmly lift this mass and freeze, but further piloting directly depends on the skills of the pilot. When loading 800 The apparatus behaves quite adequately," Dolgov explained.

Operator training

To use the RUD-250, the operator must complete a special training course, which takes about two weeks. "The difficulty is that to control a drone without GPS, the operator must have certain skills. Flying in first person always puts a strain on the vestibular apparatus. An unprepared person may feel dizzy, someone may feel sick. The person seems to be standing on the ground, seeing everything from cabin and at the same time does not feel overload, and therefore is a little confused. It's really hard. Also, when working with this drone, the operator must be well oriented on the ground, study the flight area before the flight, and so on," Dolgov said.

The specialist noted that positive feedback was received based on the results of the first applications of the drone in the NWO zone. "RUD-250 can cause big problems to the enemy in the special operation zone. This is a very effective small drone," he added.

In addition, the drone was tested at one of the Russian test sites. “Including they were fired from electronic warfare guns from different manufacturers. I think that the tests were successful. Some electronic warfare guns were able to drown out only the video channel, while the control channel remained. The drone calmly left the suppression zone and continued flying. These devices are invulnerable.” Dolgov added.

Earlier it was reported that the RUD-250 devices will be upgraded taking into account the wishes received during the tests in the special operation zone.

https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/17026225

14:25 12.02.2023

In Primorye, tests of an aircraft-type UAV for the needs of a special operation began
The head of Primorye Kozhemyako said that tests of aircraft-type UAVs began in the region


RIA Novosti / Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Workers in the UAV assembly shop. Archive photo

VLADIVOSTOK, February 12 - RIA Novosti. Tests of a vertical take-off aircraft type drone designed for the needs of a special operation have begun in Primorye, Governor Oleg Kozhemyako said.
"Test flights of a new drone have begun. Primorsky engineers have created an aircraft-type UAV with vertical take-off. This principle significantly expands the capabilities of the device," Kozhemyako wrote in his Telegram channel.

Earlier, the authorities of the region reported that Primorye was launching mass production of drones for the needs of a special operation. The design of the drone weighing 1.5 kilograms provides for a release mechanism for dropping cargo at the enemy’s deployment site. It was also reported that the manufacturer is ready to produce up to 30 aircraft-type drones.

VIDEO LINK : https://t.me/kozhemiakoofficial/957

NOTE: Orlan-30's are an upgrade on the Orlan-10's. Over twice as heavy (31 kg vs 14 kg).


"Today, Orlan-30 drones are already serving in artillery formations. Vehicles weighing 31 kg can reach heights of up to 5 km and reach speeds of up to 180 km/h. They can stay in the air continuously for several hours. The main specialization of the Orlan-30 is artillery reconnaissance and support for firing artillery in the optical and infrared ranges, as well as transmitting guidance parameters. The equipment package of this drone includes a laser designator-rangefinder. This allows you to highlight the target with the beam of an optical quantum generator and give accurate target designation for a guided munition."

FULL ARTICLE: https://translated.turbopages.org/proxy_u/ru-en.en.ac050db1-63ff22ef-873f8cf1-74722d776562/https/iz.ru/1476709/roman-kretcul-anton-lavrov-aleksei-ramm/ukazateli-svyshe-minoborony-ispytyvaet-novuiu-lineiku-bpla

01.03.2023 (06:00)
Airborne troops are actively using small FPV drones of the "Boomerang" copter type during their combat

In the course of a special military operation, during the storming of Ukrainian positions, units of Airborne UAVs actively use small FPV drones of the "Boomerang" copter type.

The calculation of the UAV "Boomerang" is moved to a given area, from where it prepares and launches a kamikaze drone. The calculation includes an operator who controls it using special VR glasses, determining the target to be destroyed. The operator's assistant directly launches the "Boomerang" and tracks the direction of the drone's flight on the map, orients the operator and corrects his work.

"Boomerang" is a simple design of a sports drone: 4 screws, 4 small engines, a massive battery and the main element of this kamikaze drone is a special container filled with striking elements, filled with plastid and equipped with a fuse.

The advantage of the FPV drone over conventional quadrocopters is the operator-friendly orientation in space and the ability to easily traverse a route or chase a moving target at speeds up to 170 km/h. Therefore, they are difficult to detect and intercept, they have high maneuverability and give the maximum level of control to the operator. This allows them to be used with maximum efficiency to destroy moving targets, as well as to destroy manpower in dugouts and special shelters.

Unlike conventional copters, the Boomerang does not have a satellite communication module. The anti-drone gun is powerless against him. The operator drives the copter at the minimum height, almost touching the treetops. The video ends when the drone turns into a projectile and crashes into enemy positions at high speed.

https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12456245@egNews

Alexander Kharchenko interviews russian FPV drone operators. FPV drones dont need Satellite signals, and are hundreds of times cheaper than ATGMs.
Vladlen Tatarskiy wants every single russian infantry detachment to have piles of these suicide FPV drones, otherwise, russian soldiers and vehicles will get completely massacred zulu style.
He reports the russian military has done absolute 0 effort and has 0 interest to supply these drones, or create specialist detachments, like the ukrainian military has done. There are only volunteer shipments, and vladlen tatarskiy is one of the only people seriouslly involved in FPV drone donations, together with  a few other voenkors and hobby groups.
https://t.me/vladlentatarsky/19584

In one of the revealed lately materials, a price of some new kamikaze was revealed. Less than 14k rubels. That is $200 a piece...

Privet = Hello

The lack of a heavy UAV in Russia's air force has been due to the lack of an engine of the right type. They are now reaching the
end stage of the development of an updated AI-222-25, which will be used in the Grom UAV.

Work to adapt this engine has been going on for a few years:

https://en.topcor.ru/19297-dvigatel-dlja-grom-rossija-uspeshno-zamestila-ukrainskij-agregat.html

But looks like they are in the home stretch now.

Weird that they didn´t take the engine of the Kh-101 to develop a light drone. Or two engines for a heavier model.
There is also the TV7-117 engine for a "Predator"-like drone or the VK-2500 for heavy helicopter drones.

Hole wrote:
Weird that they didn´t take the engine of the Kh-101 to develop a light drone. Or two engines for a heavier model.

Because the engine for the Kh-101 is for a "one time use"

For a drone, you need an engine that is good for "thousands" of hours of flight and has a maintenance schedule.

What would actually be better would be some sort of simple ramjet motor or the special motor on the V1 was used, because they are simple and cheap and more disposable.

The V1 used a type of motor called a pulsejet where you have a tube that is open at both ends but at the front it is like venetian blinds but instead of a blade that can be angled it has two blades and is shaped like a V where the point of the V is where the blades pivot, so they are V shaped to let air in, so you launch the weapon with a small solid rocket booster or slingshot on a ramp, the V shape lets air fill the tube and then fuel is added and detonated which blows the blades of the V forward and shut so it ends up like a __ that blocks the tube in the direction of travel. The gas of the explosion can only exit out the rear of the tube creating a pulse of thrust... when the gas pressure drops because the air blows out the back the vanes at the front get blown open to the V position with the natural air flow and after a fixed amount of time for the tube to refill with fresh air, fuel is blown into the tube and detonated again.

The Pulsejet on the V1 could operate at 50 times per second and generate a useful level of thrust...

The flight speed of the missile can get quite high so these explosions and the blades opening and closing makes a sound like buzzing, so the V1 was often called the buzz bomb.

The point is that all you need is a hollow tube, fuel injectors, and these metal blades at the front... no exotic or expensive materials.... it isn't amazingly fuel efficient but it is cheap enough to make in enormous numbers.

They currently operate at least one drone with an M135 pulsejet engine in the E95M target drone.

https://enics.aero/en/products-2/aerial-target-e95m/

Because the engine for the Kh-101 is for a "one time use"

Could be changed quite easily. And the engine power is in the right class for such drones.
Instead they opted for some curious engines that were never in production before and had
a lot of foreign made parts.

You could certainly put a modular engine position in the drone and just fit two engines used in cruise missiles... if they are designed to be disposable you could replace them every three or four flights and use a twin or triple engine layout so if one fails it can still fly back to base as a drone and have all the engines replaced as needed.

Once the drone gets up to flight speed you could use a basic ramjet which is the simplest and most basic of all jet engines to maintain speed and altitude if you need it, if the turbojet fails...

I am sure they know what they are doing...