Unmanned aircraft complex "Orion"
The Orion UAV project is one of the most interesting domestic developments of recent years. In addition to belonging to a new class for the Russian defense industry, interest in the project was stimulated by the general atmosphere of secrecy. Developers and customers of the promising complex from time to time told about the latest domestic development, but most of the information for a long time was not to be disclosed. As a result, specialists and amateurs of technology had to be content with only different estimates and assumptions.
In the course of the recent international aerospace salon MAKS-2017, the Orion developer company made an official presentation, in the course of which she spoke about the main features of the prospective UAV, its purpose, etc. In addition, an official commercial was published. Thanks to the official presentation, all interested persons received new information about the most interesting domestic sample.
The development of the Orion UAV started in 2011 by order of the Ministry of Defense. The work was carried out as part of development work with the code "Pacer". Contractor and lead developer drone the company "Transas" (St. Petersburg) was appointed. By now, the developer organization has changed its name and is now called the Kronstadt Group. Despite such organizational processes, the design was completed on time, and later a prototype of a promising aircraft was launched for testing.
The purpose of the RWC "Pacer" was to create a new UAV, which has an average size and take-off weight. The device had to have a longer flight time and a carrying capacity sufficient to transport reconnaissance equipment. The finished complex was supposed to be used for visual, radar or electronic reconnaissance of certain areas. At the same time it was necessary to ensure the possibility of a long patrol in a given area.
The development of the drone, called the "Orion", took several years. In 2015, the first prototype was built, intended for use in flight tests. In the future, the specialists of Kronstadt and the Ministry of Defense conducted the necessary checks. According to reports, the tests experienced "Orion" continues to this day. Interestingly, until a certain time, the authors of the project did not seek to disclose information about the prospective UAV. Because of this, detailed information about the project appeared only a few weeks ago.
Moreover, the exact appearance of the drone became known only in late spring. Then in social networks there were photos from the Ryazan Protasovo airfield, which was captured aircraft with the marking "Orion 01" on board. It should be noted that the real appearance of the new domestic machine was markedly different from the one previously assumed. In particular, the UAV was built according to the normal aerodynamic design, whereas the possibility of using two-girder architecture was previously mentioned.
It should be recalled that since 2013, Transas has shown the layout of a promising vehicle and promotional videos for this project. At that time, the proposed construction of the aircraft dvuhbalochnogo scheme with a characteristic L-shaped tail. Such a machine could carry various optoelectronic or other reconnaissance equipment. As it became clear in the late spring of this year, since then the authors of the project managed to noticeably revise the basic concepts, resulting in a significant change in the technical appearance of the UAV. Filed for testing and shown on the MAKS-2017, the device has no noticeable similarity to the models previously demonstrated.
"Orion" at the airport in Ryazan, May 2017. Photo Bmpd.livejournal.com
A recent presentation with the official publication of all the basic information allowed us to draw a rather detailed picture and understand the advantages and disadvantages of the promising Orion. Consider the available information about the most interesting domestic development.
According to official data, a promising unmanned aviation the Orion intelligence and surveillance complex includes a number of basic devices. First of all, these are middle-class unmanned aerial vehicles acting as the carrier of one or another reconnaissance equipment. In addition, the complex includes a take-off and landing control module, an operator module, a radio module, as well as a set of equipment for ground maintenance of equipment.
For obvious reasons, the most interesting in the new complex "Orion" is the eponymous unmanned aerial vehicle. There were special requirements for this UAV. In particular, "Orion" was supposed to be the first domestic device of the MALE class (Medium Altitude, Long Endurance - "Average Height, Long Duration"). Such characteristics make it possible to obtain a number of the most important capabilities that increase the potential of a vehicle in the context of solving intelligence tasks.
The project proposes the construction of a medium-sized aircraft of normal aerodynamic layout with a straight wing and a V-shaped tail unit. The parts of the airframe are made of composite materials based on carbon fiber, which reduces the weight of the structure with sufficient strength. The main part of those or other units is installed inside the fuselage. Some instruments, however, are partly located outside the airframe, which requires additional removable fairings.
Prospective UAV has a large elongation fuselage, having an asymmetrical cross-section. The sides and the upper surface are made in the form of a single surface, and the bottom has a curved shape. As can be seen on the available materials, the fuselage nose fairing is made radio transparent and probably allows the installation of certain radio-electronic equipment. In the central part of the fuselage are wing attachment points. On the sides of the tail provides for the installation of two inclined planes of plumage. Between these planes and on the bottom there is a pair of rectangular housings necessary for cooling the engine.
A significant part of the internal volume of the fuselage is given for the installation of various electronic equipment. At the bottom of the nose there are fasteners for installation of the necessary equipment, behind which is a niche of the front landing gear. In the center of the fuselage, in front of the wing, there is another volume for the target equipment. Behind the wing on the bottom of the fuselage there is a pair of longitudinal niches for the main landing gear. In the tail of the machine is a piston engine.
The creation of the required lifting force is entrusted to the mid-positioned straight wing of high elongation with a slight narrowing. In the central part of each plane there is a pylon with a fairing to accommodate some devices. The wing has a developed mechanization. In the root part of it there are flaps of large scope. Near the ending are ailerons. UAV "Orion" received a V-shaped tail, consisting of two rectangular elements. Their rear edge is given under the steering wheels, suitable for pitch and yaw control.
An important feature of the drone is the architecture of controls. Control over the operation of all major devices is carried out only by means of electrical systems. All steering wheels, landing gear, etc. equipped with electric drives. In addition, the airframe is equipped with an electric anti-icing system.
According to known data, the device is equipped with a gasoline piston engine. Model and parameters of the power plant are unknown, but there is reason to assume the use of an air-cooled engine. The engine is connected to a two-bladed pusher propeller.
Takeoff and landing should be carried out using a three-point chassis with a nose strut and small-diameter wheels. Racks have a suspension with shock absorbers and after takeoff are retracted into the fuselage by turning back.
Orion can carry special equipment for various purposes. Thus, the main means of observation is a multifunctional optoelectronic system, suspended under the nose of the fuselage. Several optical devices are placed in a spherical fairing, mounted on a U-shaped support. Provides the possibility of targeting in different directions and observations at any time of the day. Such equipment can be used for reconnaissance and observation, both independently and in combination with other equipment.
The central seat of the fuselage can be used to install an aerial camera or other equipment. Also near the center of gravity of the machine can be suspended compact radar or electronic intelligence equipment. The radar can be used with an optoelectronic system, while electronic reconnaissance equipment requires the installation of additional equipment in the nose of the fuselage. Large and protruding suspension units should be covered with fairings.
According to published data, a new type of UAV can carry only reconnaissance equipment of various types. The possibility of carrying and the use of any weapons was not announced. According to the developer, the total payload weight is 200 kg. Its composition is determined in accordance with the objectives of the departure.
Orion’s take-off weight is approximately 1200 kg, of which 200 kg is the payload in the form of target equipment. The device is able to automatically take off and land. According to the commands from the operator’s console, the machine should go to the specified area. It is possible to operate the drone at a distance of 250 km from the ground control equipment. Flight performance and economical engine allowed to get the flight duration at the level of 24 hours. Flight altitude - to 7500 m.
Demonstration of airframe construction made of composites. Shot from the advertising video of the Kronstadt group
All control of unmanned aerial vehicles is carried out by a ground-based complex of means, which includes several modules for various purposes. All modules are built on the basis of standardized container buildings, but they have a different set of equipment. As follows from the published data, one module is intended for the placement of operators and their consoles, the second contains radio equipment, and the third is intended for automatic take-off and landing instruments.
UAV control is performed by the operator, which has a remote control with a set of relevant equipment. Each operator's workplace is equipped with a pair of widescreen LCD monitors and controls. Depending on the goals, the operator can prepare a flight program, directly control the drone, receive data from it, process the collected information, etc. At the same time, the equipment of the Orion reconnaissance complex provides both direct control of aircraft and automatic flight according to a previously created program. Four operator workplaces are placed in one module container.
The proposed appearance of an unmanned aircraft complex provides a comparative ease of operation, combined with high mobility. The modules of container design, accommodating a variety of equipment and drones, can be quickly and easily transported to a given area by any suitable transport. The deployment of the Orion complex on the position should also not be associated with noticeable difficulties.
The promising domestic average UAV "Orion" belongs to the MALE class, which to a certain extent reveals its capabilities and purpose. The device is able to remain in the air during the day, which allows it to be used for long patrols of specified areas, monitoring various objects, etc. Replaceable payload, which may include a variety of optical-electronic or electronic equipment, can be used for observation, mapping, etc. According to the results of the UAV departure, the operator, using the staffing equipment and software of his / her workplace, can compile a detailed report, including including three-dimensional maps of the area and information on the location of certain objects.
At the moment there is every reason to believe that the newest domestic project "Orion" ends with a successful solution of all the tasks. Thanks to this, the new equipment, having completed the tests and having shown itself well, will be able to enter into service and go into series. Corresponding orders and orders may appear over the next few years. When exactly the order will appear, while, for obvious reasons, it is not specified. According to various estimates, the finished complex will be presented to the military department in the next 2018 year.
It should be noted that in the context of the Orion project, remarkable rumors are already circulating. According to this information, by definition, without confirmation, a contract for the mass production of new UAVs may appear in the end of the current decade. The army can order dozens of unmanned aircraft complexes, with which up to hundreds of aircraft will be used. Especially for the operation of such technology can be formed new units.
According to reports, the Orion unmanned aerial complex with the same UAV is currently undergoing various tests, including those involving test flights. It is known that the tests started no later than last year, and therefore by now the Kronstadt group could have obtained some positive results, as well as carry out the necessary refinement of the existing project. In the light of well-known data and similar assumptions, the possibility of completing work next year looks quite possible.
Successful completion of the “Pacer” experimental design work with the receipt of a full-fledged exploitable complex of surveillance and surveillance will give the most positive results for the domestic armed forces. The army will receive a modern multifunctional complex capable of conducting reconnaissance and collecting information about specified areas, including at a considerable distance from the deployment sites. High flight duration, in turn, will allow solving such problems with greater efficiency.
In addition, the project "Orion" is of great importance in the context of the development of the domestic aircraft industry. Until recently, Russian enterprises offered new projects for medium and heavy class UAVs, but most of these developments did not even reach the first test flight. UAV "Orion" at the moment is the most successful representative of its class. This project was brought to the construction and testing of experimental equipment, and now it is approaching the possible adoption for service.
The expected official start of operation of such equipment and the launch of mass production will show that the Russian defense industry has really been able to master a new direction for itself and present the required complexes to the army. In the medium term, the successful completion of the Orion project will make it possible to begin the replacement of imported equipment with domestic samples. Another important direction can be developed without outside help.
On the materials of the sites:
http://ria.ru/
http://vpk.name/
https://defence.ru/
http://bastion-karpenko.ru/
http://bmpd.livejournal.com/
http://twower.livejournal.com/
http://militaryrussia.ru/blog/topic-886.html
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