Russian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.
- Thread starter tphuang
- Start date
Next drone superpower? Not likely, Russia missed the window of opportunity for that by a wide margin, allowing Turkey and especially China to corner many of their traditional customers. But it will probably become a serious contender in remaining markets, as systems like the ZALA 421-series, Orlan-10 and Orion-E match their competitors, and others like Altius-M even outperform them.
What if they start mass producing Okhotnik-B? That has to be a kick in the balls to countries that have not put neuron, BAE Taranis or X-47B in operation yet who have started those projects earlier than Russia.
The largest export demand seems to be on the lower end of functionality, not massive fighter sized drones like S-70. Countries that might have the demand for large complex drones but not the ability to produce them is basically just India.
Broccoli
Senior Member
Indians have their own UCAV (AURA) but like Tejas it's seemingly going nowhere.
They also few others not sure whats going on with those.
They will build it and put it into service within this decade I think but it is a low tier UCAV. It's basically an enlarged cruise missile platform with very limited range and kinematic performance. They are based off the lower end "loyal wingman" drones from Boeing for Australia and limited service with US as a cheaper supplement. Dark Sword UCAV, Hunter etc are over than 5 times the volume and are basically unmanned multirole fighters. GJ-11 to cover the strike only missions but I don't see why it can't be purposed for A2A combat since it should be able to be made to hold 2x PL-15s and China has long had CEC in the air. Dark Sword should be nearly twice the length of GJ-11 and it is clearly much more optimised for speed than GJ-11 with more dramatic sweep angle.
I don't think either Russia or China would be interested in the same UCAV class as AURA/ Boeing's loyal wingman. The X-47B is probably going to make way for an equally large multirole UCAV and the Americans have a new RQ series flying. It's the easiest thing to make something like the AURA fly. Making it effective with capabilities is another matter. That'll be revealed by if the Indian MoD decides to reject or put it into service.
T-54B main battle tank upgrade by The People's Army of Vietnam tranning for TankBiathlon on Army Game
05/25/2021
UEC for the first time in the history of the Russian Federation designed a helicopter engine completely in 3D
For the first time in Russian history, the United Engine Corporation Rostec designed a VK-1600V helicopter engine using only 3D modeling. All design documentation for the power plant demonstrator created at UEC-Klimov has been released in electronic form.
The use of 3D design has a number of significant advantages: ease of reading, the use of models with annotations as design documentation, and full consideration of all adjacent nodes.
“VK-1600V is the first engine in Russian history that was designed without drawings on paper at all. All work is carried out electronically, which allows you to always have the necessary contextual information in front of your eyes. Working with 3D models makes it possible to design the engine directly “inside” the helicopter, to control the docking of objects both in the power plant itself and in the engine nacelle,” the acting director said. Deputy Program Director - Acting Anton Kolosov, deputy chief designer of VK-1600 JSC "UEC-Klimov".
When creating the VK-1600V demonstrator, up to 70% of the castings will be replaced with parts created using 3D printing. Elements, including the "hot" part of the power plant, will be manufactured using additive technologies.
Earlier it was reported that it is planned to present the VK-1600V demonstrator engine in the third quarter of this year. The assembled demonstrator will go to the first tests, where its main characteristics, stated in the terms of reference, must be confirmed. The type certificate is planned to be obtained in 2023, and in 2024 mass production will start.
The new engine is designed for installation on Ka-62 helicopters, multipurpose and special helicopters with a takeoff weight of 5-8 tons. The power of the VK-1600V in takeoff mode is 1400 hp. A modern FADEC unit BARK-15V, which was also developed by JSC UEC-Klimov, will work together with the engine.
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It seems to be a waste of time.
I think it is more preferable to have heavier stealth drones with longer range air to ground weapons or even use air to air weapons. But to be fair small scale drones pander better to countries with poorer economies that have a few skirmishes with their neighbors. Things like the Su-70 or Frigate drones , etc as you say might interest India but bigger contracts from better economical countries might seem better than those with small scale less complex drones.