"Thunder and lightning". Future unmanned aerial vehicle capabilities

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Model of UAV "Thunder" and its weapons on "Army-2020". Photo "Kronstadt"

The Kronshtadt company continues the development of the promising unmanned aerial complex "Grom" and a number of related projects. Recently, new messages appeared in the domestic press about the capabilities of the complex. A heavy drone of a new type will be able to perform reconnaissance and strike missions, as well as control the work of other UAVs.

Latest news


New messages about the capabilities and potential of the "Thunder" complex and related developments have been disclosed by the TASS agency over the past few days. Information was obtained from both unnamed industry sources and representatives of the developer company.



On March 11, it was reported that the heavy drone "Thunder" will be able to control the operation of middle-class vehicles and coordinate their actions. Under the leadership of such a UAV, the "Molniya" -type vehicles that are currently being developed will operate. One "Thunder" will be able to interact with 10 "Lightning" operating in the "swarm" mode. At the same time, "Thunder" will not be able to carry the entire set of "Lightning" - they will have to be launched from another aircraft.


Assembling "Thunder" on the eve of the exhibition. Photo "Kronstadt"

Earlier in the official reports mentioned the ability of "Thunder" to carry guided weapons "air-to-surface" of various types. In particular, some weapons are being developed specifically for the new UAV. On March 13, TASS announces the planned inclusion of the Kh-38 guided missile in the Grom's ammunition load. Such a product can be equipped with warheads of different types and has a flight range of up to 70 km. It should be recalled that such a rocket has already been demonstrated together with a promising UAV.

As reported on March 15, a representative of Kronstadt confirmed the possibility of controlling a swarm of Lightnings. In addition, new details are provided. Medium UAVs will be used in reconnaissance and strike versions. At the same time, intelligence Drones it is proposed to make it returnable, and percussion ones will actually become loitering ammunition.

Also, a representative of the development organization indicated that the Molniya UAVs are being optimized to work as part of a swarm. The devices will have to conduct a constant exchange of data, which will ensure the transfer of information about the task being performed, the distribution and redistribution of roles, etc. Due to the use of artificial intelligence, medium-sized drones will be able to work without constant communication with the "Thunder".


Ammunition close-up. Photo "Kronstadt"

"Thunder and lightning"


The existence of the Thunder project was first announced last year as part of the Army-2020 forum. In addition, a full-size model of this product was shown at the exhibition site for the first time. Compatible aviation means of destruction. The premiere show was accompanied by the disclosure of some information about the main features of the project and the capabilities of a promising UAV.

The first reports about the UAV "Lightning" (according to the latest data, the name "Piranha" was previously used) appeared at the end of February, when the leadership of the Ministry of Defense visited a pilot production facility of the "Kronstadt" company to check. A prototype or prototype of such a drone got into the frame and naturally attracted attention. In addition, some technical and operational details have become known. Now the amount of data available has increased significantly.

The development of "Thunder" is directly related to the observed development of air defense systems. Aerial reconnaissance and strikes against ground targets are becoming more and more difficult and dangerous. In this regard, the first strikes against enemy targets and the destruction of key air defense targets should be carried out by unmanned systems, incl. in the mode of interaction with manned aircraft.


Model "Lightning" and the leadership of the military department. Photo of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Reportedly, the Ministry of Defense agrees with this concept and believes that the troops need modern unmanned systems of the type being developed by the "Thunder". Such equipment will have to be used together with modern and promising aircraft, such as the Su-35S or Su-57, to expand the combat capabilities of front-line aviation.

In addition to the "Thunder", a lighter UAV "Lightning" is being created, suitable for conducting reconnaissance and striking in the "kamikaze" mode. Thus, a heavy, unobtrusive UAV will replace manned aircraft over the battlefield, and it will be assisted by smaller vehicles operating according to the "swarm" method. This is a fundamentally new concept for our videoconferencing, but even at a theoretical level, it promises serious advantages.

System Components


In the presented form, "Thunder" is an aircraft-based UAV with characteristic contours for stealth, trapezoidal wing, V-shaped tail and upper air intake. The takeoff weight of such a device can reach 7 tons, of which up to 2 tons will be used for combat load. It is reported that the "Thunder" has two external suspension nodes and two points in the internal cargo compartment.


General view of "Lightning". Frame from the reportage of the "First Channel"

The combat load of such a drone can include guided missiles and bombs of various types with a single ammunition mass of up to 500 kg. At "Army-2020", together with "Thunder", they showed the KAB-250LG-E and KAB-500S-E bombs, as well as the Kh-58MLE and Product 85 missiles. Perhaps, in the future, the range of used ammunition will be expanded with a corresponding increase in combat qualities.

The Molniya product is a compact UAV in the cruise missile form factor. The wingspan is only 1,2 m, the take-off weight is limited to tens of kilograms. The payload is 5-7 kg. "Lightning" will be able to carry reconnaissance equipment, probably optical or radio engineering. An impact modification is also provided - a loitering ammunition with a warhead.

Earlier it was reported that "Lightning" will be able to form a "swarm" and act together. Now it is reported about the possibility of using such a group together with the UAV "Thunder". In this case, the launch of the "swarm" can be carried out by another carrier aircraft. It is argued that the "Lightning" will receive artificial intelligence, which will make them a more effective reconnaissance and strike tool.

Group capabilities


Completion of development, testing and implementation of new UAVs will take some time and require a lot of effort. However, the result of these processes will be the acquisition of fundamentally new opportunities. The Aerospace Forces will be able to form combined reconnaissance and strike groupings of front-line aviation, including manned aircraft and UAVs of various types. Probably, it will be possible to enter into them not only devices from the Kronstadt company, but also other equipment.


Product from a different angle. Frame from the reportage of the "First Channel"

Working in such a group, the Su-35S or Su-57 aircraft will retain all its capabilities to search for and defeat air or ground targets. At the same time, there will be no need to enter the enemy's air defense engagement zone - UAVs will be able to operate there. Subtle heavy "Thunders", independently or under the control of an aircraft, will have to break through air defense and hit key targets without exposing the pilots to risks. The presence of medium-sized drones for group use will significantly expand all the basic capabilities of the group.

The composition of such a group can be selected in accordance with the assigned tasks. In addition, it lends itself to scaling without serious difficulties with a corresponding increase in combat qualities. Thus, each fighter can control several Thunder UAVs, which, in turn, are capable of controlling a dozen of Lightning. The full composition of such a group may not always be required, but such opportunities should not be abandoned.

New era


News of recent months, they say directly that thanks to the Kronstadt company and other organizations in stories Russian unmanned aviation begins a new era. Unmanned systems of a heavy class with striking capabilities are being created and successfully brought to operation in the troops. In addition, fundamentally new solutions and concepts are being worked out.

Apparently, promising reconnaissance and strike UAVs, suitable for use together with manned aircraft and as part of autonomous groups, will reach the series and enter service with the Aerospace Forces. The question of the duration and cost of their development remains open, but they do not question the fundamental possibility of creating new technology.
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18 comments
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  1. -4
    17 March 2021 04: 52
    Great, now it's up to the quantity!
    1. +9
      17 March 2021 08: 21
      How many? These are mock-ups, before the series are still years and years of development and testing. We still need to implement our plans.
  2. +4
    17 March 2021 04: 57
    heavy drone "Thunder" will be able to control the work of middle class vehicles and coordinate their actions. Under the leadership of such a UAV, the "Molniya" -type vehicles that are currently being developed will operate. One "Thunder" will be able to interact with 10 "Lightning" operating in the "swarm" mode. In this case, the "Thunder" will not be able to carry the entire set of "Lightning" - they will have to be launched from another aircraft.

    It is planned that the Molniya complex can be used from various carriers - military and military transport aircraft of the Aerospace Forces.
    And based on the expected performance characteristics (one device of the system will have a length of 1,5 meters and a wing span of up to 1,2 meters, and a warhead or other payload weighing 5-7 kg), one Su-57 will be able to carry up to eight such devices in the fuselage compartments. The "Hunter" unmanned aerial vehicle may also be their carrier.
    In essence, "Molniya" is a small UAV made in the form-factor of a cruise missile - with an elongated fuselage, a jet engine and a folding wing and a flight speed of 600-700 km / h.
  3. -9
    17 March 2021 05: 07

    1. +3
      17 March 2021 06: 49
      WHAT THAT always comes with WHAT THAT ... Determine with WHAT and you will comprehend the nature of SOMETHING
      1. +2
        17 March 2021 20: 23
        Apparently, promising reconnaissance and strike UAVs, suitable for use together with manned aircraft and as part of autonomous groups, will reach the series and enter service with the Aerospace Forces. The question of the duration and cost of their development remains open,

        After the "cheerful" beginning of the article, this is its "end". By this, everything is said. Yes
  4. +10
    17 March 2021 06: 19
    When it will be in the troops, then we will conduct discussions
  5. 0
    17 March 2021 06: 31
    I'm glad the developers are moving forward and making progress.
    I don't quite understand why talk about potential capabilities, expected characteristics and principles of use? Potential customers will not come at this stage - they need a finished product. And the enemy will start preparing now.
    1. +5
      17 March 2021 08: 13
      Quote: S Smirnov
      Why talk about potential capabilities, intended features, and how to use it?

      Because this is a repetition of US developments. There is no newness in ideas. It's not bad, you have to do your best. They copy the best practices there without a twinge of conscience.
      Here is Thunder:


      Behold the lightning



      1. 0
        17 March 2021 11: 02
        Moreover, these devices are intended primarily for "hacking" our air defense zones (A2D2) .... this is their "western" solution to this problem.
  6. 0
    17 March 2021 10: 47
    Koloboks were remembered.
  7. -1
    17 March 2021 10: 59
    At least for long-range bombers, such a "snag" as "Lightning" is needed ..
  8. +3
    17 March 2021 12: 38
    Tell me: why write about something that does not exist and whether it will be unknown? Why mislead people? You do it first, and then praise it!
    1. +2
      17 March 2021 12: 51
      Quote: Voenmeh
      Tell me: why write about something that does not exist and whether it will be unknown? Why mislead people?

      The author was brought from the Kronstadt company. laughing
    2. 0
      17 March 2021 16: 27
      Nothing personal - just advertising!
  9. 0
    17 March 2021 13: 10
    now we need information that anti-aircraft gunners are preparing against such systems what
    1. 0
      17 March 2021 21: 48
      New Carapaces of the Poultry Tunguska Torah and radar station.
  10. 0
    18 March 2021 17: 15
    Kirill does not really believe in your optimism. Kronstadt will be doing for 10 years and very expensive, while others cannot. Your concept of application is confusing, but this is nothing we have a great practice to learn, when we are at war, there will be a new Finnish. Kirill You have already agreed with Shoigu to amend the statutes. Previously, the regiment flew for an attack, but now a swarm, before a pair, a flight, a squadron fought, and now a flock ????? Cool.

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