Belarusian strike UAVs "Quadro" and "loitering pipe"
Impact UAV "Quadro-1400" at the exhibition MILEX-2021
The Belarusian industry is developing its own unmanned aerial vehicles for various purposes. So, a few years ago she introduced Drones "Quadro-1400" and "loitering pipe", equipped with rocket-propelled anti-tank grenades and capable of hitting various ground targets. As reported, to date, two of these products have been tested and have been put into service.
Light percussion
Attack drones aviation complexes (UBAK) "Quadro" and "loitering pipe" were developed by the Vitebsk design bureau "Display". The main field of activity of this enterprise is radio-electronic systems for various equipment, but a few years ago it began to master the direction of unmanned aircraft.
Finished products "Quadro-1600" and "loitering pipe" were first shown in mid-2018 at a conference of the Ministry of Defense of Belarus dedicated to the development of UAVs. Two drones became exhibits of the exhibition as part of the conference, and a few days later demonstration flights took place at one of the training grounds.
Product "loitering pipe"
In the future, two new UAVs / UBAK were demonstrated several times at exhibitions. Thus, the first public display took place in May 2019 at the MILEX-2019 exhibition. At this event, Display Design Bureau presented a pair of attack drones, as well as ground-based robotic systems with similar weapons.
Soon KB "Display" developed and introduced the apparatus "Quadro-1400". In terms of characteristics and capabilities, it was similar to the 1600 product, but differed in design and placement of weapons. The number of propeller groups was reduced to four, and the armament was placed above the frame. Later, the new UAV was repeatedly shown at new exhibitions, and it actually replaced the older Quadro-1600.
For several years, "Quadro-1400" and "Pipe" passed the necessary tests and fine-tuning. The design, software, etc. were improved. As it is now clear, all these works were carried out with an eye on mass production and transfer of equipment to the troops.
"Quadro-1400" on trials
On October 19, the telegram channel Otvinta - Aviation of Belarus, citing its sources, reported that two new UBAKs were adopted by the Belarusian army. However, no further details are provided. It is not known exactly when the UAVs entered service, for which units and divisions they are intended, etc.
General solutions
The Belarusian UBAK "Quadro" and "loitering pipe" are built on the basis of common ideas and are generally similar to each other. This is a helicopter-type UAV with several propeller groups based on electric motors. The main body contains the control equipment and the battery, and weapons and controls are installed on it.
With the same scheme, the devices differ markedly from each other. They have different sizes and weights, show different flight characteristics and carry different types of combat equipment. There may also be differences in on-board electronics that provide flight and the use of weapons.
The process of installing grenades
UAV "Quadro-1600" is a helicopter with a size of 1,5 x 1,5 m in plan and a height of about 500-600 mm with eight motors and propellers. Takeoff weight - approx. 45 kg. It is made on the basis of a lightweight tubular frame and has a small body. Under the latter, two rocket-propelled anti-tank grenades RPG-26 are suspended on a mobile installation. There is a possibility of vertical aiming. For flights, target search and shooting, video cameras and a thermal imager are used.
It was reported that the Quadro-1600 is capable of speeds of 40 km / h and move away from the operator by 6 km. Flight duration - 25 min. It was possible to work in a wide range of air temperatures.
In the Quadro-1400 project, a simpler quadrocopter scheme was used, for which a different frame with a body was developed and engines of a suitable model were selected. In addition, the 1400 model received an oscillating launcher for two RPG-26s placed on top of the hull.
In terms of size, the Quadro-1400 is similar to the UAV of the 1600 type, and the weight has been reduced to 35 kg. The radius of action has decreased to 5 km, while the duration of the flight has remained the same.
Grenade fuse control mechanism
The smallest example of the line is the UBAK "loitering pipe". This is a quadrocopter measuring 750 x 750 mm, 350 mm high and weighing 12 kg. One RPG-26 is rigidly fixed under its hull. The battery of smaller dimensions and capacity allows you to stay in the air for 15 minutes.
UAVs of the family are controlled using a unified operator station in a secure housing. It is equipped with two screens for outputting video signal and other information, and also has a compact wired remote control with the necessary controls.
All attack UAVs from KB "Display" are armed with an RPG-26 "Aglen" rocket-propelled grenade - one or two such products. Launchers are equipped with mechanisms for managing a regular fuse weapons and descender. Any refinement of the grenade before installation on the UBAK is not required. The RPG-26 grenade has a mass of 2,9 kg and is equipped with a 72,5 mm round. The cumulative warhead penetrates 440 mm of homogeneous armor.
Operator station
Multipurpose tool
Light and medium UAVs, incl. helicopter type are mainly used for reconnaissance. Nevertheless, a lot of projects are being proposed to turn such equipment into a full-fledged combat unit with fire weapons on board. The Belarusian projects "Quadro" and "loitering pipe" follow this trend and give the planned result. At the same time, they have already been able to reach the official adoption, which distinguishes them from other developments of this kind.
UAVs of this class have a number of strengths and may indeed be of interest to armies. The main advantage of such an apparatus is its ability to solve various tasks in the interests of the troops. Like other multicopters, UBAK are capable of reconnaissance and search for enemy targets. At the same time, the presence of weapons on board allows you to immediately hit the target found, without wasting time and without involving other means.
The performance characteristics of the two options "Quadro" and "Pipe" are generally sufficient for use at the level of a platoon or company. The device weighing no more than 35-45 kg can be carried disassembled or transported by accessible transport. A range of up to 5-6 km is quite sufficient for such units.
In its current form, UAVs from the Display Design Bureau use RPG-26 rocket-propelled anti-tank grenades. This weapon is included in the regular ammunition of various units, which should greatly simplify the use of drones. In addition, the grenade is small in weight and size, which allows it to be used with light air platforms.
Target hit: view from the aiming camera
At the same time, the small dimensions of the grenade limit its combat characteristics. However, the placement of the Aglen product on the UBAK makes it possible to level out such shortcomings. A drone, unlike a grenade launcher, can approach the target at the optimal distance without much difficulty and attack it in the least protected projection.
Complexes in service
In general, UBAK based on a light or medium multicopter with grenade launchers is of particular interest to the armies. A complex of this kind is distinguished by its simple design, not too complicated in production and operation. At the same time, it allows you to significantly increase the reconnaissance and combat capabilities of the unit.
The Belarusian army has already evaluated several options for implementing such a concept, after which it adopted two of them. In the near future, the Kvadro-1400 and Loitering Pipe UAVs can go into production and enter combat units. How useful such a technique will be during actual operation, time will tell.
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