 |
| The Russian Orion-E Drone |
Moskow - The Russian Orion-E drone is known to have carried out tests and is running smoothly. The drone is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Although there have been some modifications made, this Orion drone will be made a different version of the other surveillance and attack drones.
Quoted from the Eurasian Times, Head of the Russian Engineering Company Kronstadt Group, Oleg Shilov said “The tests are in full swing and we plan to complete them by the end of this year. We have several modifications of the Orion and we are ready to manufacture different versions of other reconnaissance and attack drones. The decision is always in the hands of the customer.
The first flight model of the updated Orion-E drone was presented to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on January 27 at the new Kronstadt factory in the city of Dubna near Moscow.
A distinctive feature of the latest version of the Orion-E drone is the radio transparent cap in a drop-shaped shape in front of the fuselage. The satellite communication module is also located under the fairing.
The satellite communications unit on the Orion-E makes it possible to significantly increase the range of the device as it can operate outside the range of ground control stations.
Quoted from Defense World, the Orion-E drone is considered one of Russia's best attack drones. Military observers claim that Orion has carried out at least 38 sorties in Syria, 19 air strikes and 18 reconnaissance flights.
In December 2021, the Russian Ministry of Defense demonstrated its “fighter-like” capability, which was tested at a Crimean training ground.
The MoD footage shows a pilot at a ground control station using drone sensors to identify a target first before starting a missile strike. The footage shows the launch of a 9M113 Kornet anti-tank missile (ATGM) against a helicopter drone in the video.
Quoted from The Defense Post, the Kronshtadt drone will also be equipped with electronic warfare devices. "This is done to defend against missiles and to suppress all enemy systems in the interests of other units on the battlefield," Kronshtadt Group CEO Sergei Bogatikov told RIA.
During testing, the aircraft was equipped with the modern wearable Strelets-M intelligence, command and communications complex. It is used to strike targets with a high degree of efficiency and accuracy in real-time.
Please note that the Orion can fly at a maximum speed of 200 kph (124 mph) and an altitude of up to 8,000 m (2,624 ft) for 24 hours. Additionally, the Orion has a maximum takeoff weight of 1,150 kg (2,535 lb) and a payload limit of 200 kg (440 lb).