Heavy quadcopter "Moth", with a load capacity of 300 kg
The Russian industry develops and regularly presents various unmanned aerial vehicles, including models with unique characteristics. Another unusual and interesting example was the Motylek UAV from Sovelmash. At the moment, it is the largest domestic copter with an electric propulsion system, possessing a unique load capacity.
Promising project
The Motylek project is being developed by Sovelmash, a company from Zelenograd near Moscow. Its main area of activity is the creation and production of various electric motors and drives. It decided to use its experience in this area in the heavy-duty project. drone, which was ironically named "Moth".
The new project is based on developments that were reported several years ago. But it was only in the spring of this year that the first information about the heavy quadcopter project appeared. By this time, Sovelmash had already completed the development of the project.
At that time, the company was already assembling the first elements of the propulsion system. The main part of the required units was assembled independently according to its own design and using special equipment.
At the beginning of summer, they reported on the assembly of the first units of the frame, on which all other units were to be mounted. This part of the work was completed in the shortest possible time, after which the final assembly of the experimental UAV was carried out.
In early August, Sovelmash announced the start of testing the experimental Moth. In addition, they published a video of one of the tests. The drone was placed on a test stand with a dynamometer and the engines were started in different modes. Sufficient thrust was demonstrated, which allows the copter to take off and lift a considerable load.
Exhibition exhibit
In early August, the manufacturer announced the first public display of its new Motylek UAV. It was going to be demonstrated at the Army-2024 International Military-Technical Forum in Patriot Park.
At its stand, Sovelmash presented all of its main developments in the field of electrical engineering. Among them were various types of engines, both separately and as part of various products. However, the largest exhibit attracted the most attention - the Motylek UAV.
The Army-2024 forum revealed the main goals of the project, the characteristics of the copter and the potential range of tasks to be solved. The design's load-carrying capacity was also demonstrated. The prototype UAV was shown with a 250 kg caliber aerial bomb on an external sling.
It was reported that in the near future the Motylek project will move from bench and ground tests to full-fledged flights. At this stage, the actual tactical and technical characteristics will be determined, and concepts for combat and other applications will be formed. Also, design flaws will probably be identified and corrected.
However, the timing of the remaining work cannot yet be named. There is also no information about the interest in the project from potential customers. Therefore, at the moment, "Motylek" looks like an interesting and promising development, but without clear and definite prospects.
Engine Components for UAVs
In a difficult class
"Motylek" from "Sovelmash" is a heavy quadcopter with an electric propulsion system. According to calculations, it should show high flight characteristics and lift various payloads into the air.
The main unit of the drone is a frame made of aluminum pipes. It has a rudimentary rectangular fuselage, to which the side beams-motor frames for the engines are attached. The Moth also has a ski chassis with developed struts capable of supporting the UAV itself and its payload. The aluminum frame combines sufficient strength and reduced weight, which corresponds to the specifics of such an aircraft.
The Moth's power plant includes four electric motors developed by Sovelmash under the supervision of engineer Dmitry Duyunov. The basis of these motors is an asynchronous hub motor of size 318, built on the basis of the Slavyanka combined winding technology. This design provides for the simultaneous use of two windings: a star type and a delta type. This engine design allows for an increase in key indicators, such as power or speed, without a significant increase in overall weight.
Each of the Moth engines weighs 24 kg and develops a power of 60 kW. The engine is equipped with a propeller with six plastic blades of constant pitch, which provide a thrust of about 150 kgf. The engines are powered by batteries placed in the UAV "fuselage". It is possible to install several such devices, which allows increasing the overall battery capacity and, accordingly, the duration and range of the flight.
"Motylek" received a remote control system that executes the operator's commands. A video camera is installed on board the drone for piloting and reconnaissance. In the future, the UAV's instrumentation may be supplemented with other devices.
The tare weight of a heavy copter, depending on the configuration and power supply systems, does not exceed 300 kg. The maximum takeoff weight is 600 kg, of which at least half can be the payload.
Bench testing of the drone
The speed characteristics of the Moth have not yet been specified. The flight range and operating radius depend mainly on the capacity of the installed batteries. The developers are talking about a range of at least 150 km.
The Motylek UAV can carry a variety of payloads. Its large mass and payload capacity allow it to carry complex and heavy devices for various purposes. Unlike lighter UAVs, it is not limited to optical-electronic systems. It can accommodate radars, radio reconnaissance stations, or other equipment.
The heavy copter should also be considered as a potential weapon carrier. A full-fledged weapon was suspended on the exhibition model for clarity. aviation bomb. At the same time, the Moth will be able to carry other munitions, including guided ones. It is possible to use combined loads.
Positive Factors
The experimental Motylek UAV managed to attract the attention of visitors to the Army-2024 forum and became the subject of many publications. The main reason for interest in this product was its size and weight. In addition, many paid attention to it because of the suspended bomb - an unusual solution for domestic quadcopters.
At the same time, other features of the project are also of great importance. For example, in "Moth", the approach to design, the origin of key components, etc. are of interest.
The new heavy UAV is of obvious interest to various customers. First of all, such equipment can be ordered by the armed forces. The troops have many different copters, but mainly these are light class equipment. The new heavy model will complement it and give the army a number of new capabilities in the context of reconnaissance and strikes.
The Moth, with its light reconnaissance equipment and capacious batteries, will be able to remain in the air for a long time and provide reconnaissance, target designation and adjustment in the interests of various fire weapons.
The range and duration of the flight can be "exchanged" for combat payload. The UAV will be able to drop a large number of small munitions on the enemy or one large one, inaccessible to other types of copters. In both cases, the Moth is radically different from other domestic quadcopters.
It should be noted that the final results of the Motylek project are critically dependent on its propulsion system. The project uses engines of an original design, developed by domestic specialists and assembled by the Sovelmash enterprise. They have already undergone some tests together with the new UAV and have given reason for optimism.
If all remaining tests are completed successfully and the engines are brought to serial production, this will be one of the main successes of the current project. 60-kilowatt electric motors can be used not only on serial "Motylki", but also on other equipment. In addition, it will be possible to make similar engines in other sizes and power categories.
New category
Thus, the Russian industry has begun developing heavy UAVs of the copter type. The first prototype of this class has successfully passed bench tests, and will soon be ready for flights. Full-scale tests in the air will take place, based on the results of which a decision will be made about its future fate.
"Motylek" is the first domestic development in its class, but obviously not the last. The success of this project may inspire other enterprises to create its analogues. The development of new projects of this kind will be facilitated by both the accumulated experience and the availability of corresponding domestically developed engines.
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