The press service of Rostec told RT that on the basis of the Southern Federal University (SFU), with the support of the state corporation, the production of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) for domestic drones will be deployed.
"This technology (produced by MEMS. RT) is universal and can be used to create accelerometers, gyroscopes, resonators and other products with minimal dimensions, "Rostec told RT.
This microelectronic product will reduce the weight and size characteristics of the inertial units of orientation and navigation of the UAV, as well as increase their efficiency.
"For the project, current production lines with specialized specialization will be used, additional production is not yet planned," the press service of the state corporation noted.
As explained in Rostec, the university located in the south of Russia has the necessary competencies for the manufacture of microelectromechanical systems:
"Southern Federal University was chosen as a partner because the university has the necessary competencies, experience and developments to improve the technology for manufacturing microelectromechanical systems."
As previously reported on the Rostec website, the development of a modern element base will be completed until 2026. In addition to SFU, the project involves the United Instrument-Making Corporation, the Radioelectronic Technologies Concern and Element (a joint venture between Rostec and AFK Sistema).
As explained by the rector of SFU Inna Shevchenko, the project implemented with the support of Rostec involves the manufacture of intelligent control systems for UAVs, which requires "the use of the most modern methods and technologies in the field of artificial intelligence."
"By 2026, we want to set a big task that will unite technologists and designers in the field of group control UAVs – the creation of a special electronic component base, which is important; raw materials for its production (this is an urgent task today) and signal transmission systems for various purposes, so that it can be used both in military affairs and in civilian applications," Shevchenko emphasized.
New generation products
As the expert of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Sergey Denisentsev said in a comment to RT, the project of SFU and Rostec is aimed primarily at replacing imported components as part of the MEMS equipment.
"We are talking about electronic components that are used to navigate and control an unmanned aerial vehicle. For example, in UAVs, sensors, gyroscopes, and accelerometers are very important - devices that allow you to measure the speed and acceleration of an aircraft, help it navigate in space. The development of all systems has now become noticeably more active. Apparently, the industry is tasked with making microelectromechanical systems now Russian," Denisentsev said.
- Electronic stuffing of a promising Russian UAV
- © KB "Oko"
According to the expert, the disadvantage of MEM equipment is vulnerability to electronic warfare (EW). However, as the experience of the special operation shows, the use of these weapons is not always effective even against unprotected civilian UAVs, denisentsev says.
A microelectromechanical system is a device that combines mechanical and electronic components responsible for signal processing. Such microelectronics are used in cars, including unmanned ones, in laptop hard drives, cameras, smartphones and UAVs.
Experts call the gyroscope the most important device in the MEMS line. In unmanned complexes, it is necessary for spatial orientation and stabilization (in the case of an aircraft, flight stability).
As stated in the materials of Rostec, the invention of the laser gyroscope was of great importance. To date, new generation products are in the development stage - wave solid-state and micromechanical. Modern gyroscopes on MEMS technologies can reach millimeter sizes.
Gyroscopes, which are produced by Russian enterprises, are used in navigation devices that are installed on dozens of aircraft models.
"Despite the general trend towards miniaturization of technology and the improvement of gyroscopes based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS technologies), laser gyroscopes, due to their high accuracy, continue to dominate the market of navigation devices," the state corporation's website reports.
"You have to do it yourself"
As vladimir Voronov, an expert in the field of unmanned aviation, explained in a comment to RT, gyroscopes do not work on carriers without accelerometers.
"Usually, systems of three gyroscopes and three accelerometers are built – all together called an inertial system. They are autonomous and non-autonomous. Autonomous systems allow you to create laser gyroscopes, and non-autonomous ones need the support of satellites, "said Voronov.
According to the expert, MEMS allow you to create "budget solutions" for UAV navigation. These devices help the carrier to independently navigate in space, "that is, to measure the angles of the position of the aircraft."
"MEMS is a really cost-effective solution. It is used in electronics for aircraft, missiles, disposable shells. Using them in drones is a completely normal approach. Yes, there are high-quality and more accurate electronics – laser and fiber-optic, but they are also more expensive. It makes sense to use it on heavy UAVs, and budget MEMS - on small drones with support for satellite navigation, "Voronov explained.
A similar point of view is shared by the General Director of Aerocon JSC, an expert of the Aeronet working group, Eduard Baghdasaryan. He said that MEMS are in demand as a solution that provides navigation of drones.
"Of course, the unmanned aircraft industry of our country needs domestic microelectromechanical systems. They enable UAVs to independently navigate in space, including using satellites, "Baghdasaryan said in an interview with RT.
In addition, according to the expert, it is extremely important to establish in Russia the production of a wide range of sensors. It is these devices that will allow drones to perform their functional tasks.
"Any UAV is a carrier of a variety of miniature sensors, without which, in principle, it cannot be operated normally. Sensors were purchased in the West, now in Asia. The situation is abnormal, and it is good that it is improving," Baghdasaryan emphasized.
At the same time, as stated by the interlocutor of RT, the production of sensors, gyroscopes and other microelectromechanical systems must certainly be massive in order to provide an affordable cost for drone manufacturers.
- Drone "Orlan-10"
- © Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
"In the context of sanctions, our country cannot be part of international cooperation in the field of MEMS, and it is dangerous to depend on foreign supplies as much as it is now. We have to do a lot of things ourselves. There are personnel for this, now we need investments and production lines," Baghdasaryan emphasized.
In a comment to RT, military observer Sergei Ishchenko also drew attention to the fact that the military-political leadership and participants in the UAV industry realized the need to deploy in the Russian Federation the production of components for the assembly of drones.
"Russia must acquire all the necessary competencies for the independent production of UAVs. We are witnessing serious steps towards such technological sovereignty," Ishchenko summed up.