Kronshtadt Orion
| Orion | |
|---|---|
| |
| Orion UAV | |
| Role | Reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle Unmanned combat aerial vehicle |
| National origin | Russian Federation |
| Manufacturer | Kronstadt Group |
| First flight | 2016 |
| Introduction | 2020[1] |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | Russian Ground Forces |
| Number built | ~30[2] |
Orion is a Russian unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) developed by Kronstadt Group.[3][4][5]
Development[]
Kronstadt began the development of Orion in 2011 as part of the Russian MoD-funded Inokhodets programme.[6] In 2013-2015, the company revealed the first layout of the Orion. In May 2016, RIA Novosti reported that test flights of the drone had begun.[7]
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Orion was tested for strike missions in 2019 in Syria. In 2020, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation received one batch of Orion drones for trial operation.
On 24 August 2021, it was reported that the Russian MoD and Kronshtadt signed a deal for the procurement of 5 combat groups of an upgraded version of Orion, Inokhodets-RU (also known as Sirius). Each group will have several drones; delivery is scheduled for 2023.[8][9][10]
The large-scale Russian-Belarussian exercise Zapad in September 2021 included Orion drones.[11]
Design[]
Orion can carry four guided bombs or four missiles and has a maximum payload of 200 kg.[12]
Variants[]
- Orion (Inokhodets)
Original version, also known as Inokhodets.
- Orion-E
Export version of the Orion.[13] Export contracts for the reconnaissance version of the drone have been signed.[14]
- Orion-2 (Helios)
Also known as Helios, the Orion-2 is a larger version of the original Orion, with a bigger payload, classified as a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAV, rather than the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) classification of the original Orion. It weighs 5 tonnes (11,000 pounds) with a wingspan of 30 meters (98.42 feet).[15] It is intended for autonomous operations of up to 30 hours, at altitudes above 10,000 meters. A full scale mock-up was unveiled on August 27, 2020, at the Kronstadt pilot plant.[16] The first flight is planned for 2023.[17] There is also an export version of Orion-2.
- Inokhodets-RU (Sirius)
Also known as Sirius, the Inokhodets-RU is an upgraded variant of the Orion with a bigger and different design, the key difference being twin engines. Sirius is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) attack UAV, with a wingspan of 30m, length of 9m and height of 3.3m, a maximum combat load of 450kg, cruise speed of 295km/h, maximum altitude 12,000m, and an endurance of 40 hours. A full-size mock-up of the 5 tonne drone was presented at the MAKS-2019 International Aviation and Space Exposition held at Zhukovsky International Airport near Moscow, Russia.[18][19] First flight is expected for 2022, to enter service in 2023.[20][21]
Specifications (Orion-E)[]
Data from Kronstadt Company [22]
General characteristics
- Max takeoff weight: 1,000 kg (2,205 lb)
- Payload: 200 kg (440 lb)
Performance
- Maximum speed: 200 km/h (120 mph, 110 kn)
- Cruise speed: 120 km/h (75 mph, 65 kn)
- Range: 250 km (160 mi, 130 nmi)
- Endurance: 24 hours
- Service ceiling: 8,000 m (26,000 ft)
See also[]
References[]
- ^ "Шойгу заявил, что боевые возможности российской армии за 2020 год возросли на 13%".
- ^ "Enlarged Derivative of Orion UAV Under Development".
- ^ "Russian Kronstadt Group details Orion-E UAV | weapons defence industry military technology UK | analysis focus army defence military industry army".
- ^ "Orion UAV".
- ^ "ORION Certificate of Acceptance signed - European Security & Defence". 22 April 2020.
- ^ "Russia still has sights set on Orion - Shephard Media".
- ^ "Orion UAV".
- ^ "Минобороны РФ подписало контракты на поставку ударных беспилотников "Иноходец" и "Форпост-Р" -".
- ^ "ЦАМТО / / Компания «Кронштадт» поставит Минобороны РФ БЛА самолетного и вертолетного типов".
- ^ "Russia to begin deliveries of latest strike drones to troops from 2023".
- ^ "Strike drones, Terminator tank support vehicles assist in offensive at Zapad-2021 drill".
- ^ "Russia Tests Combat Drone in Syria".
- ^ "Enlarged Derivative of Orion UAV Under Development".
- ^ "ЦАМТО / / "Рособоронэкспорт": экспортные контракты на поставку разведывательных БЛА "Орион" уже реализуются".
- ^ "Enlarged Derivative of Orion UAV Under Development".
- ^ "Russian Minister of Industry and Trade discovers new domestically-built Helios UAV".
- ^ "Flying prototype of Russia's Orion-2 drone to be ready in four years".
- ^ "Russia's long-range attack drones". 27 November 2020.
- ^ "Russia's New Stealth Drone, Su-57 Jet Team to Destroy Adversary's Air Defenses".
- ^ "UNI News".
- ^ "The delivery dates of the new Sirius attack UAV to the Russian army have been announced".
- ^ ORION-E on YouTube Kronstadt Company
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