UAVs in Russian Armed Forces: News #3

thegopnik wrote:Got this from 4chan /pol/ /chug/ no idea if true.

High-tech reconnaissance drones "Supercam" come from Izhevsk
11/12/2023


Military technology is constantly evolving, and modern conflicts require new approaches and innovative solutions. One of the most important military-technical features of military operations in Ukraine was the massive use of unmanned aerial vehicles. Drones have become an indispensable tool for destroying enemy personnel and equipment; they have become an integral part of military tactics, which is being honed and improved by the Russian military.

It is now impossible to imagine successful combat operations without the use of reconnaissance drones. One of these is the Supercam S350 UAV, which is produced by the Russian Unmanned Systems Group of Companies, headquartered in the arms capital of Russia - Izhevsk. The drone is positioned as a means for surveillance and reconnaissance, protection of state borders, monitoring of fuel and energy complex facilities, as well as for solving other tasks in the civilian sector. Cameras, video cameras and thermal imagers make it possible to create high-precision 3D terrain models and photographic plans using Supercam. However, with the beginning of the Northern Military District, this civilian UAV also found military use, in particular for counter-battery warfare and artillery fire adjustment.

One example of the successful use of the Supercam reconnaissance drone was demonstrated Ministry of Defense in the Krasnolimansk direction. Working in conjunction with the Giatsint self-propelled howitzer, Supercam operators were able to detect and destroy firing positions and a field warehouse of Ukrainian formations. Thanks to the prompt transmission of coordinates and quick response, targets were hit within minutes of their detection.

“Having received the command to take off, the crew of the Supercam UAV took the drone to the designated aerial reconnaissance square. Having detected the flash from the exit of a mortar shell, and thereby revealing the position of the enemy gun, the UAV operators immediately transmitted the coordinates of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ firing position to the artillery control point. After checking the coordinates, the artillerymen of the self-propelled artillery regiment of the Central Military District inflicted fire on the exposed enemy position with 152-mm high-explosive fragmentation shells, which provoked the detonation of a nearby field ammunition depot,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Specialists from the unmanned aviation units of the Central Military District in the special operation zone highly appreciate the tactical and technical characteristics of the Supercam drone. Military personnel note good noise immunity, ease of operation and maintenance, as well as the quality of the broadcast video during reconnaissance. The unit commander emphasized the importance of the reconnaissance drone, calling it “the eyes of all aviation and intelligence.” “We see all the enemy’s movements and, accordingly, transmit them. We are flying very high. We can rise to five thousand in height, and our “bird” will not be copied,” he said.

The drone can stay in the air for more than four hours and conduct long reconnaissance missions, cover large areas and transmit extensive information about the actions of Ukrainian armed forces. Supercam optics provide high clarity and image quality. The UAV has the ability to operate via a broadband secure video channel at a distance of 50-100 km from the operator, and a maximum flight range of up to 240 kilometers allows the Russian military to receive up-to-date information about the movements and accumulation of manpower and equipment of the Air Force in their deep rear.

Among the key features of the “Unmanned Systems” complex note quick assembly, modular composite elements, a system for releasing the wing consoles during landing to prevent possible damage. Interchangeable and combined payloads with unified gyro-stabilized platforms may include: a photo camera with a resolution of 20/24/42/60 megapixels with the ability to be installed on a stabilized platform in azimuth, a gyro-stabilized thermal imager or a PAL or HD video camera with 10/33x optical zoom, with the possibility of combining with a laser target designator, a multispectral camera, a background radiation measurement sensor, a laser gas analyzer or scanner. The Supercam can simultaneously use up to three payloads and install two cameras at the same time.

The mission can be carried out in winds up to 15 m/s, ambient temperatures from –40°С to +45°С, in moderate rain and snowfall. The drone is noise-resistant and equipped with protection against enemy electronic warfare systems. If the connection is lost, the drone returns to the starting point and performs an automatic parachute landing.

“Supercam” carries out automatic flight according to a given program and has the ability to hover over an object. The flight point can be moved by the operator in real time, taking into account adjustments for wind or inaccuracy of the electronic map. It is also important that the operator with the ground control station can be on the move. Moving, for example, along the front line will provide the operator with more reliable protection from detection and will allow the operator to scan a much larger area.

The Russian military department notes that crews of Supercam drones conduct daily aerial reconnaissance, adjust artillery fire and control the destruction of identified targets. During the battles, the use of the Supercam ensured the destruction of American Humvee combat vehicles (HMMWVs), M-113 armored personnel carriers, M777 howitzers, command posts and other targets.

https://aviation21.ru/rodom-iz-izhevska-vysokotexnologichnye-razvedyvatelnye-drony-superkam/

In a significant development in military drone technology, Russian forces have reportedly started deploying a new version of the “Lancet” kamikaze drone, known as the “Izdeliye-53 or Z-53” According to Russian sources, the use of these advanced drones commenced in October 21, 2023.

The “Izdeliye-53” or “Z-53” is distinguished by its automatic guidance system, which is capable of autonomously identifying and distinguishing between different types of targets, potentially increasing the accuracy and success rates of strikes.

The introduction of the Izdeliye-53 or Z-53 drone represents a notable advancement in unmanned aerial warfare. This drone is equipped with a sophisticated guidance system that allows it to autonomously select and engage targets, a feature that marks a significant step forward from earlier models. While the full capabilities of the drone are not yet publicly known, the reported ability to autonomously identify targets suggests a high level of technological sophistication.

The Izdeliye-53/Z-53 was unveiled at the Army-2023 defense exhibition near Moscow in August 2023. A promotional video released by the manufacturer highlights the drone's unique geometric design, featuring four large wings mounted at 45-degree angles on the front, a departure from the traditional X configuration. These wings unfold during launch, and notably, the drone lacks rear stabilizer winglets. Propelled by a rear-facing propeller, the Izdeliye-53 is equipped with a prominent, downward-facing camera that plays a crucial role in environmental mapping and target acquisition.

With a payload capacity of up to five kilograms, the Z-53 is engineered to operate in swarms, communicating and coordinating among themselves to locate and designate various ground targets. These targets range from enemy anti-aircraft and rocket artillery positions to armored units. This represents a significant advancement from the current-generation Lancet drones.

In terms of deployment, the Z-53 drones differ markedly from their predecessors. Instead of being launched from specialized pneumatic rails, they are released from compact, ground-based tubes, akin to mortar systems. This design allows for ease of transport and deployment, as the drones can be carried either in their tube launchers or in 2x2 battery formations using light vehicles. The multifunctional transport tubes serve not only for storage and transportation but also as the launch mechanism for the UAVs, eliminating the need for field assembly.

As of now, the deployment of the “Izdeliye-53” drones is not widespread. Russian sources indicate that the current use is primarily for testing purposes, particularly for assessing their effectiveness in mass synchronized swarm strikes. This strategy could potentially allow for overwhelming air defenses through sheer numbers and coordinated attacks.

Furthermore, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported on October 24 that Russian forces allegedly used another new drone, the “Italmas” (also known as “Izdeliye-54”), during a strike in Kyiv Oblast. This suggests a broader strategy of integrating more advanced unmanned systems into Russian military operations.

The ISW has also assessed that the Russian command might be banking on the use of a large number of strike drones to overpower Ukrainian air defenses. However, there are concerns about the effectiveness of these drones against critical military targets, given their relatively small payload capacity, reportedly between three and five kilograms.

This development in drone warfare indicates a shift in military tactics, with a growing reliance on unmanned systems for precision strikes. The effectiveness of these new drones, particularly in terms of their impact on the ongoing conflict and their ability to challenge existing defense systems, remains to be seen.