Reconnaissance and strike UAV "Forpost-RU" in the Special Operation
UAV "Forpost-R" on trials, 2019
The Russian armed forces use reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicles during the Special Operation aviation complexes of several types. One of them, known as Forpost-RU, entered service in the recent past. Unlike its predecessors, this UAV is capable of not only finding ground targets, but also attacking them on its own. Such capabilities of the device are regularly used in practice, and are often demonstrated to the public.
In the war zone
According to known data, Forpost-RU UAVs have been involved in the forced demilitarization of Ukraine almost from the very beginning. So, in mid-March, the Ministry of Defense for the first time reported that such a drone hit a ground target - an enemy anti-aircraft radar.
In the future, in the domestic media and in unofficial sources, new information repeatedly appeared about the combat work of Forpostov-RU and the defeat of certain objects. In addition, curious videos of the combat use of standard weapons, filmed directly by the optical-electronic station, are regularly published. drone.
For example, several similar videos appeared during December on domestic military telegram channels. The process of monitoring the target and dropping weapons was demonstrated - followed by hitting the target and destroying it. In the episodes shown, "Outposts-RU" amazed Tanks, vehicles and manpower of the enemy.
For obvious reasons, only individual episodes of the use of the Forpost-RU complex have become public. The bulk of his practical successes remain behind the scenes, but the results of the sorties are included in the general reports from the Ministry of Defense. At the same time, there is no doubt that such UAVs continue to regularly carry out combat sorties, search for and hit various enemy targets. Perhaps details on the use of drones and general statistics will be published later.
It should be recalled that Forpost-RU is not the only reconnaissance and strike UAV at the disposal of our army. To solve such problems, a wide range of complexes, factory and handicraft production, is used. Both light commercial drones with some modifications to carry a small load, and full-sized heavy Pacers with missiles and bombs on board are used.
On a different platform
The Forpost family of UAVs has a long and rather interesting history. Back in 2009, the Russian Ministry of Defense, which was then studying the subject of unmanned aircraft, acquired from Israel several serial Searcher II unmanned systems manufactured by IAI. This technique has passed all the necessary tests and proved to be the best.
The use of the KAB-20 air bomb during exercises in 2021
According to the test results, in 2010, a Russian-Israeli agreement appeared on the launch of licensed production of Serchers. The Israeli side was supposed to supply some of the components, incl. key components, and the assembly was organized at domestic enterprises. In addition, Russian industry has developed a new vehicle-based control station.
The licensed IAI Searcher II entered the supply of the Russian army under the name "Forpost". From 2012-14 such equipment is transferred to units and subunits of the armed forces for use as an effective means of aerial reconnaissance. According to various sources, several dozen complexes were assembled according to the original project, each of which includes three drones.
In the middle of the decade, it became known that the manufacturers were given the task of modernizing the Outpost. It was necessary to rebuild the complex on the principle of import substitution and abandon components, the supply of which may be in jeopardy. This version of the UAV was called "Outpost-R".
In August 2019, Forpost-R with domestic components made its first flight. During further tests, the drone confirmed the calculated characteristics. In terms of the combination of parameters and capabilities, it was at least as good as the original Israeli Searcher II. In addition, it was possible to provide an increase in some characteristics and create a reserve for further upgrades.
"Forpost-RU" strikes a truck with ammunition
At the turn of the decade, plans were reported to turn the Forpost-R into a full-fledged reconnaissance and strike UAV. A new modification called "Forpost-RU" was supposed to receive weapon suspension units, control devices weapons and related software. A new version of the drone was being tested in 2021-22. In addition, the first public demonstration of this product took place at the Army-2021 forum.
As is now known, since February or March 2022, Forpost-RU has been used as part of the Special Operation to Protect Donbass. At the same time, the current status of the complex is unknown. It is not clear whether it has already been put into service or is still undergoing experimental military operation in the framework of real hostilities. However, such questions do not affect the defeat of targets.
Drone and its weapons
Forpost-RU is made on the basis of an existing foreign-designed UAV and has retained its main features. This is a medium-sized aircraft with a voluminous shortened fuselage, straight wing and empennage on two tail booms. The maximum takeoff weight does not exceed 500 kg, of which 120 kg is payload.
An APD-85 piston engine with a power of 85 hp is placed in the tail of the fuselage. with pusher propeller. The maximum speed of the UAV reaches 200 km/h. A lower cruising speed allows you to increase the duration of the flight to 16-18 hours.
Defeat an enemy armored car
Forpost-RU has an autopilot and a remote control system, navigation aids, an optical-electronic station, etc. As reported, even at the stage of the Forpost-R project, it was possible to transfer the drone to domestic devices with understandable positive consequences. In particular, our industry has developed several different ECOs that can replace the original Israeli devices.
For example, at the turn of the decade, the GOES-4 product was tested and demonstrated at exhibitions. This is a device weighing 32 kg, capable of detecting armored vehicles at ranges up to 16-18 km. It also provides a determination of the direction to the object and the distance to it to calculate the coordinates. The laser rangefinder is also used for target designation.
The reconnaissance-strike Forpost-RU is capable of carrying light missile and bomb weapons. So, a few years ago it became known about the creation of a light guided bomb KAB-20. This product is made in 20 kg caliber and carries 7 kg of explosive. The bomb has a satellite navigation system and a semi-active laser homing head. Target designation is provided both by the bomb carrier and by other means.
The X-UAV guided missile has also been developed for attack drones. It was carried out on the basis of the anti-tank missile of the Kornet-D complex, while maintaining the main design features and combat capabilities. When launched from an air platform, the X-UAV flies over a distance of several kilometers and can hit a target with high accuracy due to laser beam guidance.
The use of guided weapons on a tank
Using available weapons, Forpost-RU can attack various ground targets - accumulations of manpower, unprotected and lightly armored vehicles, as well as shelters and unfortified buildings. The latest videos from the area of the Special Operation show that the X-UAV or KAB-20 pose a danger even to tanks.
Development and improvement
Thus, the development of domestic unmanned aircraft continues, and the current Special Operation becomes a kind of test for new developments. In the course of hostilities, UAVs of various types confirm their technical characteristics and show their real capabilities. Together with other products, the latest Forpost-RU complex is now undergoing such a test.
The fact that our army needs such equipment has long been beyond doubt - and the Ministry of Defense and industry are taking appropriate measures. At the same time, they have the opportunity to more fully study new samples and find ways to further improve them. And all this is happening without interrupting the fulfillment of the main tasks of demilitarizing the enemy and protecting new regions.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, Telegram / Btr80
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