"Algorithms of artificial intelligence": what is the peculiarity of the Russian combat helicopter drone "Termit"

By the end of 2021, proactive development work will be completed on the creation of a domestic reconnaissance and attack unmanned helicopter-type complex (UAV-VT) under the code "Termit". This was announced to RT by the head of the special design bureau of the Strela research and production enterprise (part of Kronshtadt JSC) Boris Trunov.

“In terms of performing practical firing with unguided and corrected aircraft missiles, our helicopter-type unmanned aerial vehicle is the first and only product in its class in Russia. Currently, this is an experimental model designed to test the correctness of the adopted technical solutions for the installation and placement of aviation weapons on UAVs, but in 2021 we plan to complete the R&D (development work. -

). The delivery of the first samples to the troops is scheduled for 2022, "Trunov said in an interview with RT.

"Termit" was first presented to the public at the end of August at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2021" at the stand of the "Kalashnikov" concern.

The world famous company is the curator and one of the developers of aviation weapons intended for use with UAV-VT.

“We work with Kalashnikov in cooperation, we carry out practical shooting.

If we talk about the key elements of the UAV, then almost all of them are manufactured at JSC NPP Strela, including such equipment as a weapon control system and observation and sighting station, "Trunov said.

During Army-2021, the RF Ministry of Defense signed a contract for the supply of Termites and other complexes under the name Platforma, developed by Strela.

According to Deputy Defense Minister Alexei Krivoruchko, both devices will enter the armed forces "in the near future."

Unmanned helicopters

From the information presented on "Army-2021", it follows that the approximate length of the reconnaissance and strike UAV is 5 m, the height is about 2.3 m. 80 mm.

According to Trunov, the number of large-size helicopter-type UAVs is gradually growing in the world.

According to experts, the United States is one of the largest foreign operators of such unmanned systems.

From open data, it follows that the US Army uses two types of UAVs implemented in a helicopter scheme: the MQ-8B Fire Scout and the MQ-8C Fire Scout.

Both devices were developed by the American company Northrop Grumman.

They are designed for patrolling, reconnaissance and fire engagement.

The MQ-8B Fire Scout is used primarily to equip United States Navy frigates and coastal zone ships developed under the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) program.

The drone can also be used on land.

For example, it was used in the operations of the American army in Afghanistan.

The MQ-8B Fire Scout is capable of carrying the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) onboard weapons developed by the British BAE Systems.

It includes means of detecting, aiming and destroying targets with a caliber of 70 mm.

In the APKWS rocket, as in the domestic S-8L, the laser guidance principle is implemented.

According to the company from the United Kingdom, the ammunition is economical and highly effective.

According to BAE Systems, the accuracy of the ammunition exceeds 93%.

The MQ-8C Fire Scout is a larger and more advanced helicopter-type unmanned platform.

Northrop Grumman has developed this drone based on technologies found in the Bell 407 light multipurpose helicopter.

• American UAV Fire Scout

• © Northrop Grumman

In turn, the MQ-8C Fire Scout is a heavier and more dimensional unmanned complex, it has a significantly higher range and a higher payload.

The vehicle weighs 6,000 pounds (2.7 tons) and has a maximum speed of 135 knots (250 km / h).

The drone was also created for the needs of the US Navy, although it can be operated on land.

"Laser illumination"

As Trunov noted, the main advantage of the Termit lies in its off-airfield capabilities and operation from unprepared engineering sites: such autonomous vehicles are capable of taking off and landing almost everywhere.

“In addition, helicopter-type drones have the ability to hover over objects.

They do not need to make unnecessary maneuvers like an aircraft-type UAV.

It is very convenient, for example, if you need to aim to aim the missile, ”added Boris Trunov.

At the same time, the interlocutor of RT admitted that helicopter-type UAVs are inferior to traditional aircraft drones in terms of range and duration of flight.

Delivery of the UAV-VT to the take-off site over short distances is carried out by an ordinary car trailer; over long distances, the device can be transported by rail, sea, air transport in a container.

Trunov attributed the advantages of the UAV-VT to the presence of a composite fuselage, which made it possible to significantly lighten the weight, and the presence of a domestic internal combustion engine from the power plant.

The specialist claims that the UAV-VT can effectively engage stationary and mobile objects with known coordinates.

At the same time, "Termit" is able to go on the so-called free hunt, which involves an independent search for targets.

“The target is captured by the operator.

He puts it on escort, then the drone acts autonomously - the artificial intelligence algorithms embedded in the logic of the weapons control system are turned on, but at the same time the operator makes the final decision on launching the rocket.

Thanks to the S-8L, the UAV-VT can destroy single and group ground mobile and stationary targets, ”explained Trunov.

S-8L is the brainchild of the Institute of Applied Physics JSC (part of the Kalashnikov concern).

As the employees of this enterprise told RT, this ammunition belongs to the class of corrected aircraft missiles, while being an inexpensive high-precision weapon.

• Modern missiles of the S-8 family

• © Rosoboronexport

“The rest of the C-8 missiles used by our helicopters and attack aircraft work like a bullet from a Kalashnikov assault rifle.

With all their positive qualities, there is a possibility of a miss.

Here, when there is a laser illumination, the probability of damage is close to 100%.

Yes, there is a factor of weather conditions (the laser beam does not pass through precipitation well. -

), but we are moving towards leveling it, ”the IAP explained.

In a commentary on RT, military expert Yuri Knutov noted that the S-8L is the latest representative of the 80 mm family of aviation ammunition that has been widespread since Soviet times.

According to the expert, this class of shells has been "evolving" recently and is actually becoming a high-precision weapon.

“According to the available information, the S-8L should be light enough to be lifted by an unmanned vehicle.

At the same time, the power of its warhead will be enough to destroy tanks, armored vehicles and some types of engineering fortifications, where the enemy's firing points are located, ”Knutov said.

"Keep the target in focus"

In an interview with RT, the chief designer of KB-602 of the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI) Dmitry Dyakonov said that in the modern theater of operations (theater of operations) there is no mass need for the use of UAV-VT.

At the same time, as the expert said, in a number of situations it is preferable to use unmanned rotorcraft.

“Helicopter UAVs have a completely different aerodynamic specificity than aircraft models, a different physiology that does not allow them, for example, to be in the air for a long time.

This is an absolute disadvantage.

Nevertheless, they can be launched from unprepared sites and in hard-to-reach areas, and this is already a big plus, ”says Dyakonov.

Also, according to the expert, due to the possibility of prolonged hovering, rotary-wing drones are more effective than aircraft drones when conducting electronic reconnaissance.

The use of UAV-VT gives serious advantages when it is required to carry out target designation or establish observation of any object.

“To keep the target in focus for a long time, an airborne UAV needs to constantly rotate cameras and make various maneuvers.

A helicopter machine is, of course, more convenient in this regard, "Dyakonov emphasized.

In addition, as the practice of hostilities shows, it is helicopter-type aircraft that are highly effective in anti-tank combat, especially when the enemy does not have an extensive air defense network, says the interlocutor of RT.

“Armored vehicles retain their importance in the modern theater of operations as the main means of conquering a beachhead.

If you do not talk about urban areas, then helicopters cope best with tanks and armored vehicles, but they are vulnerable.

Therefore, as I believe, a rotary-wing drone is needed.

He can either strike blows himself or fulfill the role of the target at which the enemy's attack is directed.

That is, the UAV dies, and the manned vehicle flying nearby remains unharmed and performs a combat mission, "Dyakonov summed up.