Light "Orlan-10" - the most massive UAV of the Russian army, used for reconnaissance
In the interests of the armed forces and the national economy, a number of unmanned aircraft projects are currently being developed in our country. aviation heavy class complexes. Aircraft and helicopter-type UAVs are designed to solve various problems, incl. for the transport of goods. This category also includes the project of the “transport aviation multifunctional platform” TRAMP, the existence of which became known the other day.
Promising project
The TRAMP platform project was first openly mentioned by the RIA agency News February 8th. Citing an unnamed source in the military-industrial complex, it reports the existence of such a project and reveals some features of the future UAV. However, other information remains unknown. So, it is not specified which organization is involved in this project, what the finished platform will look like, etc.
A RIA Novosti source said that the TraAMP project provides for the creation of an aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicle with a traditional layout. It will be a transport drone, the main task of which will be the transportation of certain goods over long distances. Such a UAV will have to work in different conditions, incl. in a complex environment with the presence of certain threats.
The TRAMP product receives a volumetric cargo compartment with lower flaps. It can host different payload types. So, for military use, the drone will be able to carry reconnaissance or other equipment or weapons. The use of UAVs in the civilian sphere is also envisaged. In this case, his reconnaissance equipment will be used to monitor the situation. Also, the platform will be able to carry devices for spraying chemicals.
When developing the project, solutions aimed at simplifying the operation of equipment are used. The UAV will be able to take off from short areas with insufficient preparation, and in case of an accident it will receive means of saving the load. Modular design simplifies repairs and returns drone to work.
Complex "Inohodets" - a representative of the heavy class
The timing of the development of a new air platform has not yet been named. Also, no interest from potential customers or their support is reported. Perhaps information of this kind will appear later, as the new project develops.
Estimated appearance
No graphic materials on the TRAMP project have yet been published, and even the general view of the future UAV remains unknown. However, a RIA Novosti source revealed some technical details that allow you to get a rough picture and even determine the possible advantages of a drone.
As reported, the TraAMP platform is being created in the form of an unmanned aircraft of the traditional design. This means that the aircraft will have a pronounced fuselage, and a large volume, wing and tail unit. For the UAV, low flight performance is declared, which can be provided by a straight wing.
A modular design architecture is proposed. Depending on the current tasks, it will be possible to replace the power plant, wing or landing gear. At the same time, the fuselage and general aircraft systems will remain the same. This will allow you to change specific characteristics with minimal effort.
According to the source, the most important feature of the design is a large and capacious cargo compartment with a volume of 2650 liters. It is easy to calculate that such a compartment, depending on the diameter, can be up to several meters long. In addition, one can imagine the overall dimensions of an unmanned aircraft with such a compartment. The payload of the UAV will reach 600 kg. Accordingly, the maximum takeoff weight will be several times greater.
Heavy multi-purpose "Hunter" with percussion functions
Access to the cargo volume will be provided by deployable doors in the bottom of the fuselage. In the case of reconnaissance equipment, such a "bomb bay" will allow surveillance in the lower hemisphere, and the combat version of the UAV will drop missiles and bombs through it.
The type of power plant is not named. At the same time, the given characteristics suggest the use of an internal combustion engine or a turboprop engine with a propeller. In this case, TRAMP will be able to show the declared flight characteristics. Estimated speed is said to reach 195 km / h, the ceiling - 3 km, flight range - up to 600 km.
A RIA Novosti source spoke about the development of means of rescue, both for cargo and for the drone as a whole. Probably, we are talking about some kind of parachute systems that can safely lower the entire UAV or its most valuable elements to the ground - first of all, reconnaissance equipment or other payload. Obviously, the combat load is not subject to such salvation.
Any information about control systems, modes of operation, etc. missing. It is likely that the TraAMP platform will receive remote control with a two-way radio communication channel. At the same time, it needs advanced means of communication capable of providing flight at a declared range of hundreds of kilometers. In addition, the UAV will have to operate at airfields, which imposes additional requirements on avionics and its functions.
In a new class
The news about the development of a "transport aviation multifunctional platform" is of great interest. It shows not only the presence of a new promising project. It follows from it that the Russian industry has taken up the development of a new class of unmanned aerial systems.
To date, Russian enterprises have developed and brought to mass production unmanned aircraft of many types. First of all, these are light and medium class products intended for use in the armed forces. Also, the medium and heavy category of UAVs with reconnaissance and / or strike capabilities are gradually being mastered. However, there are not too many such projects yet, and the number of serial products is also limited.
The concept of the UAV "Thunder". Such a device will receive an internal compartment for various loads.
The TRAMP project is being developed with an eye to another niche. This UAV should carry various cargoes and be used, first of all, as a transport. Other applications associated with specialized payloads are not excluded. However, these are just ways to use the main cargo function.
As reported, a promising drone will be able to carry loads up to several meters in size with a total volume of 2,6 cubic meters and weighing up to 600 kg. Such characteristics are quite sufficient for the transportation of various ammunition, incl. artillery shells, various equipment, medicines, etc. It is impossible to exclude the appearance of even an ambulance version of the UAV, which will be able to transport the wounded with an escort.
The new drone will complement the existing military transport aviation and expand its capabilities. With its help, it will be possible to deliver small and relatively light cargoes, the transportation of which by planes and helicopters is too expensive or even impractical. The TRAMP platform will allow solving such problems at minimal cost.
Unmanned aircraft have a number of obvious advantages over manned ones, and they should be used in the TraAMP project. So, the new platform will be able to transport goods in adverse weather conditions or through hazardous areas. At the same time, limited size and weight can become an advantage - they will reduce visibility for the enemy and contribute to the breakthrough of air defense. In addition, the loss of a small UAV, even with a load, is not as sensitive as the crash of a transport aircraft with a heavy load and crew.
A forward-looking concept
In general, the concept of a heavy UAV with a transport function looks interesting and may attract the attention of the military or other potential customers. It also cannot be ruled out that the new TRAMP project is being created by order of the Ministry of Defense or with its support. In this case, the platform gets every chance to go through the design and testing stage, and then get into production and service.
One way or another, the latest news shows that the Russian industry continues to work in the field of unmanned aircraft. She creates new projects, as well as develops and implements promising concepts. The next result of such work in the future may be the multi-purpose transport platform TraMP. How soon it will appear is unknown, but the result of this project promises to be useful for the army and other structures.