For war and for peace. New drones from old An-2
An-2 in original configuration. Photo by Wikimedia Commons
This year marks the 75th anniversary of the start of operation of the An-2 multi-purpose aircraft. Despite its considerable age, equipment of this type still remains in service and is mass-produced. Moreover, modernization projects for existing aircraft are regularly proposed, aimed at improving performance or obtaining new capabilities. So, in recent years, several options for turning the An-2 into an unmanned aerial vehicle have been developed at once.
Unmanned vehicles
In the fifties, the USSR handed over to China the documentation for the An-2 project and helped with the deployment of mass production. The Chinese version of the Soviet machine received its own designation Y-5. The construction of such aircraft is still ongoing, and over the past decades, the Chinese industry has developed a number of their modifications with different capabilities and characteristics.
The most interesting modernization project was created a few years ago by China Aerospace Science and Technology Group Co. and was named Feihong-98 (FH-98). It provides for the restructuring of the existing aircraft into a heavy class unmanned aerial vehicle designed to transport goods on local lines.
The FH-98 is essentially a basic Y-5 with a set of new equipment. An autopilot, the necessary means of navigation and communication, as well as actuators for transmitting commands to aircraft units are installed on the aircraft. On-board electronics are capable of independently guiding the aircraft along a given route; There is a remote control mode.
Feihong-98 transport UAVs from SF Express. Photo Telegram / ChDambiev
The FH-98 UAV is slightly lighter than the base aircraft: the maximum takeoff weight is 5,25 tons. The payload is 1,5 tons, and a cabin of 15 cubic meters is freed for cargo. The main speed and takeoff and landing characteristics remained at the same level. At the same time, a decrease in take-off weight led to an increase in practical range up to 1200 km.
In October 2018, the experimental FH-98 made its first flight. In the following months, the unmanned complex passed the necessary tests and received a certificate of airworthiness. Soon CAST received the first orders for serial equipment and launched production. The PLA and major airlines became customers.
First commercial flight drone took place on August 21, 2020. In the future, the FH-98 began to be quite actively used on local lines in remote areas. The PLA is also making limited use of the new UAV and is also exploring its capabilities. So, last year we passed tests on parachute landing of cargoes in automatic mode. Apparently, the work will not stop there.
Combat drones
In September 2020, Azerbaijan launched a military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh. It widely used UAVs of various classes and types, incl. with impact capabilities. It quickly became clear that among the attack drones there was also a special modification of the cargo-passenger An-2. Later, after the end of the conflict, Azerbaijan revealed some technical details and the course of such an operation.
Unmanned FH-98 on army tests for landing cargo. Photo Telegram / ChDambiev
The Azerbaijani An-2 re-equipment project was distinguished by a certain simplicity. The aircraft retained the standard controls, but received additional instruments for control by a remote operator. The remote control equipment was planned to be used only in flight, which reduced the requirements for it.
It is noteworthy that the An-2 was converted not just into drones, but into loitering ammunition. To do this, bombs were placed in the cargo compartment. The remaining fuel in the tanks should also have an effect on the target.
Reportedly, the attack on the positions of the Armenian army began with a raid by unmanned An-2 and other UAVs or loitering ammunition. The takeoff of the An-2 was carried out under the control of the pilots, after which they left the cars with a parachute. Then, with the help of remote control, the aircraft were sent to a given area, creating the appearance of a massive raid.
The air defense of Armenia easily found the flying planes and fired at them. At the same time, anti-aircraft systems revealed their positions - and were subjected to a massive strike by all unmanned vehicles, incl. rebuilt An-2. According to Azerbaijani estimates, already on the first day of the operation, up to 60% of the enemy's anti-aircraft systems were destroyed.
Demilitarizing An-2
During the current Special Operation for the Defense of Donbass, the Russian army dealt a critical blow to the Ukrainian army in general and air defense in particular. So, only in the first day of the operation, it was possible to detect and hit 36 radar stations and 14 anti-aircraft systems. Over the entire period of the operation, about 230 such objects were disabled.
Azerbaijani UAV for opening air defense. ITV photo
The Russian army has at its disposal a wide range of various reconnaissance systems capable of detecting radars and air defense systems, as well as directing fire weapons at them. The other day there was a version about the existence of another method of reconnaissance. It is assumed that Russia uses the recent experience of Azerbaijan and opens the air defense with the help of unmanned An-2.
The reason for the appearance of this version was a fresh satellite image of one of the airfields in the Bryansk region. It depicts several dozen An-2 aircraft, as well as a number of communications, control and reconnaissance aircraft. For what reason such a number of different equipment has accumulated at one site near the Ukrainian border is unknown. However, this can be explained by the creation and use of an unmanned version of the aircraft, designed for use against enemy air defenses.
To what extent this version is true is unknown. The positive experience of Azerbaijan speaks in its favor. A converted aircraft with a minimum remaining resource is quite consistent with the task of opening enemy air defenses for a subsequent strike. On the other hand, the Russian army has a variety of reconnaissance assets, and the involvement of special UAVs based on the An-2 may be an unnecessary and redundant measure.
Perhaps, after the completion of the Special Operation, our army will reveal certain details, as well as show new samples. aviation technology and weapons. Of course, if they really exist and are applied. So far, it cannot be ruled out that the An-2s are not used to suppress air defense, but for other purposes.
The alleged An-2 UAVs of the Russian army on a satellite image (marked with yellow dots). Photo Telegram / "Rybar"
The story continues
The future legend An-2 went into production and entered service 75 years ago. Despite the record age, aircraft of this type remain in service and provide transportation of people and goods, as well as solve other tasks of a peaceful and military nature. And they do not plan to abandon such equipment yet, although the development of the resource makes itself felt.
It is noteworthy that the plane from the middle of the last century has not yet fully used its potential. It is still subject to modernization with the receipt of certain advantages. Thus, projects are being developed for remotorization and replacement of on-board equipment with modern models. Various modifications to the airframe, etc. are offered.
Over the past few years, fundamentally new projects have been developed that offer the restructuring of the An-2 into an unmanned aerial vehicle. Technique of this kind has already coped with the tests and proved itself in practice. These UAVs cope with transport and combat missions with the required efficiency.
It is very likely that such ideas will be further developed, and in the future there will be new variants of drones based on the An-2 or its upgraded versions. This means that the aircraft will remain in service, and their story, already long, is far from over.
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