The Russian Defense Ministry published on its official YouTube channel a video of the first flight of the new Forpost-R unmanned complex. As the military department clarifies, UAV tests are at the final stage. Serial deliveries of this device to the troops will begin in 2020. In total, the Ministry of Defense plans to purchase about 30 drones.
“The complex has gained new opportunities thanks to advanced domestic developments that allow reconnaissance around the clock using not only optical, but also radio engineering and radar equipment. These are unique opportunities for UAVs of this class, ”the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
To date, the Outpost family drones are the only heavy-class UAVs in the Russian army. In August, the hunters “Okhotnik” (20 tons) and “Altius-U” (5 tons) first flew into the sky. However, both devices are prototypes. According to experts, the entire cycle of work on them will take 2-4 years.
“Replace Israeli systems and assemblies”
The drone taking off in the air is an improved modification of the Outpost Russian-Israeli UAV. The device was designed by the specialists of RTI Systems based on the IAI Searcher Mk II UAV. Since 2012, licensed assembly of drones has been carried out at OJSC Ural Civil Aviation Plant (UZGA, Yekaterinburg).
Thanks to modern optoelectronic systems, “Outpost” performs a wide range of tasks related to reconnaissance and monitoring of the area. The military personnel of the Russian Federation use the complex for mapping, photographing and aerial photography. The drone is able to detect enemy electronic defense points, create radio interference and intercept radio signals.
- Israeli apparatus IAI Searcher Mk II
- © Wikimedia commons
In specialized publications, various tactical and technical characteristics of the Outpost are given (they are absent in the materials of the UZGA and RTI Sistema), but most often it is indicated that the mass of the Russian-Israeli drone is 450 kg, the maximum flight range is 250-400 km, altitude - from 5.7 to 7 km. The device can stay in the air for about 17 and a half hours, developing a speed of about 200 km / h. The drone is unpretentious enough and can take off from an unprepared take-off area.
According to the Ministry of Defense, “Outpost” has positively established itself in the troops. The drone received a baptism of fire in Syria. In the Arab Republic, a drone was mainly used for covert surveillance and control of attacks on terrorist positions.
Currently, "Outposts" are actively used to patrol the Black Sea coast. UAVs are capable of giving target designation to warships and coastal missile systems. The squadron armed with these devices was formed as part of the 318th mixed aviation regiment stationed near Sevastopol.
In an interview with RT, columnist for Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine Dmitry Drozdenko noted that Outpost plays a significant role for the Russian Armed Forces. The need for such devices remains large. The only significant drawback of this UAV, the expert called it "Israeli origin."
“Cooperation with Israel was forced. It is quite natural and absolutely correct that we move away from it. The challenge now is to develop drones exclusively on their own. In addition, various airborne complexes and components should also be only domestic production. As far as I understand, the creation of Outpost-R is aimed precisely at replacing all Israeli systems and assemblies in the device, ”Drozdenko explained.
A member of the Association of Operators and Developers of Unmanned Aerial Systems (AERONET) Eduard Baghdasaryan also believes that the main objective of the Outpost-R project is the replacement of Israeli components and electronics. In his opinion, Russian specialists were able to create a completely domestic apparatus with minimal costs.
“Our military has mostly positive reviews about the Outpost. The drone, despite its angularity and unpretentious appearance, is a reliable and highly efficient machine. Why invest huge amounts of money in the development of a new similar complex if it is possible to improve the apparatus successfully mastered in the troops? Most likely, the letter “P” in the name of the UAV just informs us that it is now completely Russian, ”Baghdasaryan suggested.
The opinions of experts are confirmed by information from the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. "Outpost-R" looks no different from its predecessor, but in reality, both drones are united only by the exterior. The device is made of Russian materials. On-board equipment and power plant are also made in the Russian Federation.
“The aircraft was created from domestic construction materials, it was equipped with modern radio-electronic equipment, communication lines, a ground-based control complex, and Russian-made software. Forpost-R is also equipped with a modern domestic APD-85 engine, ”the press service of the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
- Outpost-R is landing
- © Ministry of Defense of Russia
Russian optical, radio engineering and radar systems installed on UAVs allow for round-the-clock reconnaissance in almost any weather conditions. The new Outpost-R interference-free radio line has increased the radius of use of the drone by 100 km. Compared to its predecessor, the device is slightly heavier (about 50 kg) and was able to stay in the air longer (up to 18 hours).
“Destroy the terrorists right away”
Information on the modernization of Outpost has repeatedly appeared in the media. For example, in July 2018, Izvestia announced that an improved version of the UAV will be equipped with a new radar station and a strapdown inertial navigation system that allows the drone to perform tasks without using GLONASS or GPS.
Also, according to the newspaper, "Outpost" will be able to strike with the help of "unique high-precision guided bombs." Ammunition will be located in special stealth containers. The drone will be able to take off with two small bombs.
Eduard Baghdasaryan suggested that “Outpost-R” can really get shocking opportunities. According to him, it makes sense to use such drones to destroy the leaders of gangs and small clusters of militants during the Syrian campaign or in anti-terrorist operations.
“It would be logical to create a reconnaissance and striking apparatus based on the Outpost, although the terrain monitoring functions will still be a priority for him. Of course, “Outpost” will not be able to inflict serious damage, but a few tens of kilograms of explosives is enough to destroy the terrorists immediately after they are discovered, ”Baghdasaryan noted.
Dmitry Drozdenko believes that in the field of unmanned aircraft, Russia regains the position lost after the collapse of the USSR. Tests of the "Hunter", "Altius-U" and "Outpost-R" indicate that the defense industry of the Russian Federation "is landing the existing technologies in the country."
“With the help of new UAVs, the Russian army will be able to more effectively carry out reconnaissance, surveillance, check whether the target is hit or not, and in some cases - to strike at the enemy. It’s impossible to imagine modern armed forces without unmanned vehicles, ”Drozdenko summed up.