Combat use of the Inohodets UAV and its technical potential
Pacer with an X-UAV missile on an external sling, March 2022
One of the main domestic innovations in the field of unmanned aviation is the Inohodets reconnaissance and strike complex, which was put into service several years ago. UAVs of this type participate in the current military operation and regularly search for and destroy enemy ground targets. Judging by the available information, such an unmanned system and its weapons show high efficiency and complement other reconnaissance and strike weapons of the armed forces.
Combat work
For the first time, the combat use of the Pacer became known a year ago, in early March 2022. Then the Ministry of Defense spoke about the participation of the new UAV in the operation, and for the first time published a video with the results of combat work in a real conflict.
A short clip showed a drone in flight; under the fuselage was a transport and launch container with a guided missile. Then they showed filming of the target to strike - the enemy's command and observation post. The drone monitored this object, and also filmed the moment the rocket hit, the flash from the explosion and the fire that started.
Installation of TPK with a rocket on a pylon
In mid-March, new episodes of the combat use of Pacer were shown. This time, guided missile launches were carried out on enemy ground equipment, and a direct hit was demonstrated with the defeat of targets. It was noted that the unmanned complex worked in difficult weather conditions.
In the future, new videos were repeatedly published with the combat work of the latest reconnaissance and strike complex, incl. informal. Pacers attacked various ground targets, and their missiles demonstrated high hit accuracy.
A new video about the Pacer from the Ministry of Defense appeared a few days ago, on February 28. It is of particular interest because it shows not only the flight drone and the moment of hitting the target. For the first time during the Special Operation, a UAV was shown at the airfield and its preparation for departure. It is shown how the technical staff suspends weapons and inspects the apparatus. Then the engine starts and the Pacer moves off for takeoff. The operator of the complex also got to the frame, although his work was not shown in full detail.
The new video traditionally ends with aerial footage of the area where the enemy is located. They also again showed the moment of the missile's arrival and hitting the target. Reportedly, the UAV destroyed the observation and command post of the enemy battalion.
Forced demilitarization of Ukraine continues, and our armed forces will have to destroy a lot of enemy facilities. It is obvious that part of the ground targets of various kinds will be identified and destroyed by the reconnaissance and strike "Pacers". This means that in the near future the Ministry of Defense may show new episodes of combat use, and such materials will be received almost until the very end of the Special Operation.
Technical capabilities
The promising Pacer has been developed over the past decade by the Transas company and the Kroshtadt group. By the end of the tenth years, the complex was tested and in 2019 it entered experimental military operation. In 2020, it was officially adopted. To date, mass production has been launched that meets the requirements of the Ministry of Defense.
"Pacer" is an unmanned aerial system that includes a ground control station and several aircraft. It is intended for reconnaissance, detection and observation of ground objects, as well as for strikes using high-precision weapons. The composition of such a complex already includes several types of aviation weapons adapted for use on unmanned carriers.
The main element of the complex is the Inokhodets / Orion UAV itself. This is the first domestic serial UAV of the MALE class (medium altitude and long flight duration), as well as one of the first devices with strike capabilities. It is built according to the normal aerodynamic scheme and has an elongated fuselage, a straight wing span of approx. 16 m and V-tail. The takeoff weight of the UAV exceeds 1 ton. The payload is up to 300 kg.
The UAV is equipped with a piston engine with a two-bladed pusher propeller. With its help, the device develops speed up to 200 km / h. The flight altitude reaches 7,5 km. Optimized aerodynamics and power plant made it possible to increase the flight duration to a day.
As a payload, the Pacer can carry various types of optoelectronic stations with day, night and rangefinder channels. ECOs are used both for reconnaissance and in the use of weapons. It was also reported on the development of radio systems, such as a compact radar for tracking the ground situation.
The drone is controlled from a ground station in a container design. It has several workstations for operators, means of communication and data processing, etc. According to known data, one station can simultaneously serve several UAVs. For communication, a secure radio channel is used that directly connects the station and the drone. It is known about the development of satellite communications to increase the combat radius.
The result of hitting a ground target
Precision weapons
To solve strike tasks, the Pacer is capable of carrying weapons of various types. In connection with the development of reconnaissance and strike UAVs, our industry is now developing a new line of ammunition, originally intended for unmanned platforms. Some samples of this kind have already reached the point of practical application, incl. within the framework of the Special Operation.
Videos in recent months have shown the use of the X-UAV guided missile. This is a specialized modification of the Kornet serial anti-tank missile system, designed for air carriers. As in the case of the basic ATGM, an aircraft missile is guided by a laser beam. Flight performance has not yet been reported, but it can be assumed that launching from a moving high-altitude platform increases the overall flight range.
For advanced UAVs, KAB-20 and KAB-50 small-caliber adjustable bombs have been developed. They have a mass of tens of kilograms and carry a small explosive charge. Bombs are equipped with guidance tools, due to which the accuracy of the hit is increased and the limited power of the charge is compensated.
According to some reports, "Pacer" is able to use uncontrolled weapon. Its carrying capacity makes it possible to deliver a high-explosive fragmentation bomb of the OFAB-100-120 type to the target. In this case, the accuracy of the defeat is ensured by the on-board means of the UAV and the skill of the operator.
Drones in combat
Thus, the Inohodets unmanned aerial systems continue their combat work within the framework of the Special Operation and make a certain contribution to the demilitarization of Ukraine. From time to time, the Ministry of Defense publishes materials about their work, and there is every reason to believe that only a small percentage of sorties and hit targets become public.
As such combat work continues, the crews of the complexes and the VKS as a whole will gain the necessary experience, test and improve methods and tactics, etc. The industry, in turn, will be able to identify and correct the remaining shortcomings, as well as test new models of instruments and weapons. Based on the results of all these processes, the overall effectiveness and value of the Pacer for the army will constantly grow.
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