UAVs and technologies from the Stratim company

FPVDrones company "Stratim"

Nowadays, our country produces a whole range of small-class unmanned aerial vehicles for various purposes, and the number of such developments is constantly growing. In particular, over the past year, the newly created company Stratim has been making a certain contribution to these processes. To date, it has developed almost a dozen different UAVs, and several of its products have already reached service with the troops.

New manufacturer

Like a number of other new enterprises, Stratim JSC was founded by enthusiasts with the aim of helping soldiers and units participating in the Special Operation. The idea of ​​creating such an organization appeared last summer, and in the fall it began its activities. The other day, on December 26, the RT agency published an interview with one of the founders of the company, known under the call sign “Obi-Wan.” He revealed some details of last year's events, described current developments and announced new ones.

Initially, the company literally operated out of a garage on the premises of an unnamed defense plant. Subsequently, it expanded and now has full-fledged production facilities corresponding to the work performed.

The company received the name "Stratim" in honor of a bird with a human face from Slavic mythology. Hence the approach to naming projects - most of the drones are named after birds.

Reconnaissance "Raven"

The first employees of the company were acquaintances of Obi-Wan with the necessary competencies. Later they hired other specialists. For obvious reasons, participants in the development and production of UAVs prefer to remain anonymous, do not disclose their names and use pseudonyms.

In November 2022, company representatives brought their products to Donbass for testing in practice. Tests of this kind took place during the battles for the settlement. Pervomayskoe near Donetsk. UAVs were used for reconnaissance in the interests of the People's Militia of the DPR. At the same time, useful experience was gained, which was used in the further development of concepts and full-fledged samples.

Based on the ideas developed and available components, approx. 15 aircraft and helicopter-type drones. The military is offered products of different classes - reconnaissance aircraft, loitering ammunition and unmanned bombers. In addition, several samples of auxiliary equipment have been developed for installation on UAVs or for use on the ground.

Reportedly, some of the developed samples have already reached mass production and are used by our units participating in the Special Operation. Moreover, such equipment can be used independently or as part of a reconnaissance and strike complex and in any case show high efficiency.

UAV "Mockingbird" with repeater

Aerial reconnaissance

The Stratim company catalog contains five specialized helicopter-type UAVs for aerial reconnaissance. They differ from each other in design, tactical and technical characteristics, etc. At the same time, general solutions were used aimed at increasing overall efficiency.

The smallest product in this category is the “Sparrow”. This is a compact quadcopter, created as an analogue of the Mavic series products. It flies at speeds of up to 40 km/h and can travel 5 km or more from the launch point with a flight time of approx. 30 min. On board the device there is a FullHD video camera with a zoom lens. It is possible to install a lightweight thermal imager.

Also intended for reconnaissance are the larger “Raven” and “Burevestnik” with six and four propellers, respectively. They carry cameras for reconnaissance and can perform direct observation with the transmission of the image to the operator or conduct filming autonomously. Protection from enemy electronic warfare is provided - flight and shooting can be carried out without the participation of an operator and the use of radio communications.

To support the operation of other UAVs, the Stratim company has developed the Shchegol-R and Peresmeshnik quadcopters. These are compact platform devices with a load of 1 kg, designed for installing a radio signal repeater. Using this technique, it is possible to increase the combat radius of an attack or reconnaissance UAV and/or remove the launch point from the operator’s position.

"Rusak" is the largest of the family of kamikaze drones

Shock assignment

A line of disposable attack UAVs with FPV control has been developed. It includes the products “Dzhuzhik”, “Goldfinch” and “Rusak”, made according to the same design, but differing in size and load capacity. All FPV drones in this family are quadcopters with a heading camera, remote control and the ability to install a warhead.

The smallest in the family is the Dzhuzhik UAV. It is built on a frame with a diameter of 5 inches (127 mm) and can carry a combat load of up to 800 g. It is possible to rigidly secure ammunition or install a release system under VOG series grenades. The Goldfinch is built on a 7-inch (178 mm) frame and carries 1,3 kg of weight. The Rusak has a 9-inch (228 mm) frame and lifts 2,5 kg.

All FPV drones from Stratim can reach speeds of up to 150 km/h, depending on the load, rise to a height of 500 m and fly to a distance of 6-8 km. Flight duration – 10 minutes. They can be used in kamikaze mode or carry an ammunition release system. It is also possible to install a frame for a communication repeater. The control system does not use GPS signals, which increases its stability.

Unmanned aircraft

Aircraft-type UAVs are also being developed and tested to solve various problems. Thus, for reconnaissance and target designation at ranges of up to 100 km, the Krechet apparatus is being created. This is an aircraft with additional vertical take-off propeller groups, capable of carrying a camera, thermal imager or electronic reconnaissance equipment. The design can be scaled according to customer requirements. Thus, the largest version of the Krechet, with a wingspan of 3,9 m, will weigh 8 kg and carry 10 kg of cargo.

Reconnaissance "Krechet" vertical take-off

The Crane project is of interest. It provides for the production of a twin-fuselage aircraft with four engines and a weight of up to 25 kg. Under its straight wing it will be able to carry up to three Kamikaze drones of the Sinitsa helicopter type. The flight range of the UAV carrier is up to 50 km.

Several variants of loitering ammunition with different design features and characteristics are offered. Thus, the “Chaika” product is also proposed to be built according to a scheme with two fuselages, between which there should be a cumulative warhead. With a wingspan of 1,5 m and a weight of 10 kg, such a UAV will be able to carry 4,5 kg of load and deliver it to a distance of 30 km.

The Rare Bird project is of interest. It involves the construction of a tailsitter drone with an X-shaped wing, capable of vertical take-off. A warhead in the form of a grenade for the RPG-7 will be fixed in the center of the box-shaped fuselage. Such a device will be able to attack targets at ranges of 20-25 km and fly at a speed of 200 km/h. It is assumed that the Rare Bird will be superior in overall efficiency and ease of use to helicopter-type kamikaze UAVs with a similar load.

Technologies and products

In 2022-23 The domestic unmanned aircraft industry has received a big boost and intensified. Existing UAV developers continued their work and proposed new projects, and a number of new organizations emerged with their own projects. In addition, the contribution of foreign industry and its products, which were purchased en masse and purchased privately, should not be underestimated.

Loitering ammunition "Rare Bird"

Since last year, JSC Stratim has been among the new developers and manufacturers of UAVs for our army, which has already managed to create a dozen and a half projects and continues to work. Its UAVs are of certain interest both in connection with the achieved tactical and technical characteristics and capabilities, and in connection with the approach to their development.

The company assembles its UAVs from commercially available components and self-manufactured parts. In this case, special attention is paid to electronic systems. Open source software and independently developed products are used. Their work does not depend on the policies of foreign developers, and also does not face potential risks. Navigation systems are also being introduced without the use of satellite systems, which are actually protected from electronic warfare. With all this, the solution to reconnaissance and strike missions is ensured.

Reportedly, UAVs developed by the Stratim company with such features are already present in the troops and are used in the combat zone. They complement unmanned vehicles of other types and models, and in some cases we can talk about superiority over them. In general, we are talking about an established supply of the army with modern products of all classes it needs, an increase in supply volumes and constant technical improvements. All this is a definite plus and gives reasons for optimism.

Comments

[Amateur]

... on a frame with a diameter of 5 inches (127 mm) ... "The Goldfinch" is made on a 7-inch (178 mm) frame ... has a 9-inch (228 mm) frame ...

Since when did Russian developers switch to the inch measurement system?
But the most important thing is why the author, Mr. Ryabov, writes about these inches. Doesn’t he understand that if it’s in inches, then it’s not Russian, and if it’s still Russian, then it’s a copy of an English-language article.

[point]

Because you, Victor, are an amateur in fpv-drones. Frames, like this phenomenon itself - carbon multi-rotors with lithium batteries - are a purely “Western” hobby that came to Russian cities through Chinese counters. No matter how much you want, “cancel Aliexpress” will not work at the behest of a pike, only through hard work with your head.
And, surprisingly, the largest workshop in the world is deeply indifferent to what to copy. They know how to sell in both the metric and imperial systems. I think the Washington consensus prohibited the development of domestic manufacturing, or are you against it?
In the new year, we are all waiting for exactly how Mother Russia will rise from its knees. And something tells me that the devastation in our heads is worse than Goethe’s Faust. The brutal capitalism of the 90s has not yet matured to sophisticated cooperation. And the people are already demanding clubs for minors and the consolidation of the creative forces of society.
We will have to face the fact that the people got into the Washington cone partly because of their own limited social relations. They seem to be reasonable people, but they couldn’t put themselves on a strong footing! The Chinese have lived through their thousand-year history to get used to not strangling private business. But the new rishis within the Moscow Ring Road do not have such experience. On what ideas the elite foam of the Russian Federation will be able to accept an independent and self-sufficient “simple man” is a mystery! Well, the grandchildren of anti-fascists don’t seem to need the “wealthy bourgeoisie” or “prosperous consumers”? Or do you need half a piece?
If you care about winning the SVO for the sake of a clear goal, and not against suddenly something, for everything good, then you should not care where the successful technology came from when it was mastered. It is important to take the next steps in training, self-development and nurturing the next generation of inventors. Demand not to cancel inches, but to formulate the goals of education. You will learn them by methods, even if the words are beautiful.

[Amateur]

If you care about winning the SVO for the sake of a clear goal, and not against something suddenly, for everything good,

Wake up, dear! And what does anyone’s victory/defeat have to do with it? if the article talks about “a certain contribution to these processes is being made by the recently created company Stratim.” The author of the article, indicating the dimensions in non-Russian units of measurement, is either “laying down” this company, which is trying to pass off Chinese drones as its own, or, on the contrary, trying to humiliate “ Stratim", hinting at the Chinese (or other) origin of their products.
I am writing my comment about the professionalism of the author of the article, and not about drones, air defense systems or anything else that you imagined.

[point]

Well, Victor, one cannot treat the profession of an author at VO without sympathy. People are frankly not journalists, but work with their fingers for money. How singers sing with their mouths what producers want to hear from them. It is enough to take a step aside and simply compare what the same editorial office of the same owners writes on the IMNIP reporter website and it will be clear how they work.
FPV drones have always been measured in inches of distance between the centers of the rotors of a conventional x-frame. In the case of multirotors, Russian production involves assembly, and in rare cases, making changes to the combination of standard components or replacing the radio communication firmware. The basis of all multirotors is a flight controller that converts control signals into commands for 4-6-8 motors, sensor analysis and auto-correction - this is still from China. In addition, the vision of copters - miniature video cameras - is alien. The glasses are someone else's. The hardware for transmitting video from the camera to the glasses is foreign. In other words, what is being localized is the screwdriver assembly, and not the technology of the actual miniature flyer with remote control. This is not a secret and this is what makes it so sad. At the same time, the piloting of multirotors itself is limited by law to the limit.
And where birds come from, it’s a fun hobby and sport. If you also filter the jargon, then only sullen people with clearance will be working on these drones.

[Amateur]

Well, Victor, one cannot treat the profession of an author at VO without sympathy. People are frankly not journalists, but work with their fingers for money.

If you can't sing, don't drink
(Folk wisdom)

I don't want to treat the author's profession with sympathy. Especially those who write for a fairly specialized and quite intelligent site, like VO.
If anyone has the itch of graphomania, then please go to Odnoklassniki, YouTube or even Facebook with Zen.
I have been at VO for many years. It attracted me precisely with interesting, highly qualified materials that were read with pleasure and equally high-quality comments on them. No less (and sometimes more) interesting and informative than the articles themselves. But, unfortunately, the high popularity of the site has led to the fact that the quality of published articles has sharply decreased, and many comments have become “below the plinth” of the boorish level “You are a fool.”
I would really like the level of VO to return to the level it was several years ago.

[Fangaro]

Like a number of other new enterprises, Stratim JSC was founded by enthusiasts with the aim of helping soldiers and units participating in the Special Operation. The idea of ​​creating such an organization appeared last summer, and in the fall it began its activities.

JSC Stratim was registered on July 03, 2023.
And in general, according to the Charter, joint-stock companies are created to make money. Just like other commercial organizations. Not to assist anyone with anything.
This does not mean that Stratim is a bad company. But the image of enthusiasts who earn money somewhere and then spend it all here is also not suitable.

[wlkw]

According to the Charter, JSCs are created to make money.

Most likely, they have an unnamed sponsor, which allows them to earn money and show patriotism.
One does not interfere with the other.

[Krilion]

do you want checkers or go? (With)

[Nikolaevich I]

Well...a very interesting trend is emerging...private military production and design bureaus working for the military! Until now, we knew about them by looking at the “wild West”; but now something is dawning in Russia too! This is what a “roasted rooster” can do when it appears when people forget about it at the wrong time! But...how long will this last? Russian bureaucratic bureaucracy (including military...) is capable of turning everything into a desert “worthy” of his attention!

[buv59]

“Our Red Army needs Il-2 aircraft like bread, like air” - these are the words of I.V. Stalin's words, voiced in 1941, remained relevant until the very end of the war. Maybe the situation is the same with drones. How many of them were there at the beginning of the Northern Military District? Especially in platoons and companies? There wasn't at all! It was not because of a good life that the decision was made to produce such products in small private enterprises. I think that in the conditions of the Northern Military District, all actions aimed at sending military equipment to the front are justified. And it doesn’t matter where they are made or purchased

[Stas157]

. To date, it has developed almost a dozen different UAVs, and several of its products have already reached service with the troops.

And in what volume? Are they in single copies or is there full-fledged mass production? And these are two big differences. Now anyone can experiment with a set of components from Aliexpress. Any engines, cases, batteries, legs... Everything is in inches.

[wlkw]

And in what volume?

Well, we have to start somewhere. At the beginning of the SVO this was not the case. After all, many companies grow out of garages; this is the standard way, although probably not the best or fastest. If only they weren't disturbed.

[Nikolaevich I]

Existing UAV developers continued their work and proposed new projects, and a number of new organizations emerged with their own projects.
The projects are undoubtedly interesting, but they don’t surprise me; and I was visited by very similar ideas, and not all of them were implemented by “existing developers”... Another “question” is more significant! How to preserve and further cultivate the “sprouts” of this new innovative movement for Russia!? How to strengthen and ensure that the volunteer movement that has emerged in Russia reaches new levels; incl. and in the sphere of the country's defense capability...make it massive and immune to the bureaucracy of Russian officials?

[Thrifty]

There are heaps of such companies around the country, but they do not have mass production of drones and, as a result, high prices for finished products. In addition, many drones have some Chinese components, which further increases their price.

[Fangaro]

Quote: Thrifty

There are heaps of such companies around the country, but they do not have mass production of drones and, as a result, high prices for finished products. In addition, many drones have some Chinese components, which further increases their price.

Chinese components, in most cases, reduce the price.
Otherwise, everything of ours would grow by leaps and bounds. Why buy Chinese or American, Japanese, etc., if your own is cheaper?

The quantity produced, if it is sold and the funds spent on production are returned, directly affects the cost. And the opportunity to reduce the selling price. Even in handicraft production.

[Thrifty]

Fangaro - just tell me the companies that make electric and conventional micromotors for drones, optics and camera modules, power supplies, control and protection units.....waiting..

[Fangaro]

Quote: Thrifty

Fangaro - just tell me the companies that make electric and conventional micromotors for drones, optics and camera modules, power supplies, control and protection units.....waiting..

I do not have such data.
If I had known that microelectric motors, electric ones, which were previously used in radio-controlled toys, are now used in drones, I would not have said either.
But I just don't know.

[Thrifty]

We simply do not have the production of the above, unfortunately, I saw the marking of engines for drones, “Made in China”! And so with many components at the moment....

[senima56]

Maybe I'm wrong, but the photos of the Raven UAV and the Mockingbird UAV are identical!

[Uncle_Misha]

All these drones, regardless of the manufacturer, are, as fishermen say about small fish, from the same mother. The source of components is the same, and this is not Russia. I hope the situation will change over time, the only question is how long it will take to change. At the moment, there is nothing wrong with buying components over the hill, because the UAV is needed here and now.