Between “Geranium” and “Cube”: the newest kamikaze drone “Italmas”
Vladimir Putin inspects elements of a UAV manufactured by Aeroscan, September 19, 2023. The wing of the Italmas UAV is visible in the background.
The Russian army has received another kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle, designed to strike remote enemy targets. The Italmas product is already being mass-produced, has reached combat units and is now being used against enemy targets. According to its characteristics, this UAV differs from others drones-kamikaze, which allows him to occupy his own niche.
In a short time
The existence of the “Italmas” project (the Udmurt name for the European swimsuit - a herbaceous plant, the flower of which is considered a symbol of Udmurtia) became known a little more than a month ago. On September 19, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the Aeroscan enterprise, the parent organization of the Zala Aero group. He was shown all the main developments of the organization in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles aviation, incl. the newest products.
The most interesting new product at the small exhibition of achievements was the Product 54 or Italmas UAV. In the manufacturer’s workshop there was a glider of such a device, which at that time was not equipped with the necessary equipment. However, soon the Rossiya 1 TV channel showed a new drone in complete form, actually ready for use.
Reportedly, the project with the factory designation “54” was created in the recent past. Design work was completed at the turn of 2022-23, and in winter the prototypes went out for testing. In September, it was reported that the main stages of development and preparation for production had been completed. The production of serial equipment and deliveries to the army were planned for the very near future.
Another perspective. The Italmas glider is almost completely visible
According to the latest news, we were talking about literally a few weeks. Thus, on October 21, the Russian army carried out another massive strike on military targets in Kyiv, and UAVs again became the main means of destruction. As a result of this event, the Ukrainian side complained about the use of a previously unknown drone.
Judging by the description of the fragments of the products that hit the targets and the peculiarities of their use, the new Italmas were used for the first time in the strike. Our Ministry of Defense has not yet confirmed the version of the use of such UAVs. However, the effectiveness of the combat operation of kamikaze drones does not depend on the presence or absence of official reports about them.
Notable features
To date, the development company has shown the airframe and the finished product “54” assembled, and also revealed some of the tactical and technical characteristics. At the same time, the most interesting features of the project, for obvious reasons, are not specified. However, the available information creates a fairly detailed picture and allows us to draw the first conclusions.
The Italmas UAV, like the Geranium or Kub-UAV, is built according to the “flying wing” design. A composite airframe with a characteristic shape is used. It has a wing with a span of about 2-2,5 m with a broken leading edge, over which a rudimentary fuselage protrudes slightly. Small area stabilizing planes are placed at the wing tips.
Flight control is carried out by a pair of ailerons on the trailing edge of the wing. With their help, the UAV is able to perform height maneuvers and turns. In this case, active and energetic maneuvering is apparently impossible and is not envisaged.
Assembled UAV "54"
An internal combustion engine with a two-blade pulling propeller is located in the forward part of the fuselage. The model and parameters of the propulsion system have not yet been specified. Flight speeds and altitudes are not specified. Range – at least 200 km. A long flight is ensured by a large supply of fuel located in the wing cavities.
There is no information yet about the on-board equipment of the Italmas UAV. Accordingly, its functions and combat capabilities remain unknown. Probably, a kamikaze drone can fly along a given route and hit a target at specified coordinates. At the same time, the possibility of using more complex systems and homing heads cannot be ruled out.
As befits a disposable attack UAV, Italmas carries a warhead. Its type and exact parameters have not yet been named. Only its increase in comparison with existing drones is indicated. Perhaps the warhead of the “54” product should be compared with the payload of the serial “Geranium-2”.
"Product 54" is launched using a catapult with a rail guide. Such a device is placed on any suitable platform and can be quickly moved to the required position. A separate starting motor is not used; the entire flight is powered by the internal combustion engine.
Propulsion system
With great potential
The latest Italmas UAV should be considered both independently and in the context of the overall development of domestic unmanned aircraft. In both cases, this pattern looks positive and is of great interest. In addition, as follows from recent reports, such products are already solving real combat missions and are useful in practice.
Even in the absence of all the data, it is easy to see that Italmas has a number of important features and advantages, due to which high combat potential is achieved. At the same time, similar features and characteristics are present in other domestic loitering munitions and kamikaze drones, which has a positive effect on the potential of unmanned aircraft in general.
As in other projects, the “54” product uses a composite airframe. It reduces the likelihood of timely detection and tracking by enemy air defense systems, and also makes interception more difficult. An internal combustion engine with a propeller limits the maximum flight speed, but provides high efficiency and increases range. The range is also increased due to optimal use of internal volumes and placement of the maximum amount of fuel. Existing control systems make it possible to obtain high accuracy and the probability of hitting the designated target.
At the expense of Italmas, the formation of a full-fledged multi-component weapons system based on kamikaze drones continues. This UAV should occupy an intermediate position between the light tactical “Cube-UAV” and the full-size long-range device “Geran-2”. The new Izdeliye 54 compares favorably with the Kuba due to its greater range and payload, and the advantages over the Geranium are of an economic nature.
Taking off from a catapult
In fact, Italmas will solve problems for which the Cube is insufficient and the Geranium is redundant. Thanks to the emergence of such a UAV, unmanned attack aircraft become an even more flexible tool, capable of more effectively solving all major tasks. All this understandably affects the overall combat capabilities of the army.
Potential and practice
Thus, the Russian defense industry, without publicity, developed, tested and brought to production a new model of unmanned aircraft. It was first introduced just over a month ago, and was recently used for the first time in real strikes against enemy targets. Judging by the available information, the new Italmas coped with its combat mission.
The speed of development and launch of production of the new product “54” shows the potential of an individual enterprise and the unmanned industry as a whole. They managed to achieve high growth rates and regularly introduce new UAV models. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that right now the development of a next-generation kamikaze drone with certain advantages is underway. And in the foreseeable future, it will complement the Italmas and other equipment, giving our army new capabilities.
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