Heavy cargo UAV "Buran"

Buran UAV at HeliRussia 2024

Multicopter type unmanned aerial vehicles are capable of carrying various loads and performing various tasks. For example, they can be used as multi-purpose air transport. Recently, the domestic industry presented a new model of this kind - a heavy transport UAV under the name "Buran".

At the test stage

The cargo drone Buran was developed by JSC Kotlin-Novator from St. Petersburg. This project was started in the recent past, and by now it has reached the testing stage. In addition, the finished UAV was shown to the public and specialists.

The first demonstration of Buran took place in June at the HeliRussia 2024 exhibition. At this event, the company demonstrated several of its UAVs, including the largest and heaviest model. At the same time, the key features of the project were revealed and some of its characteristics were disclosed.

At the exhibition, they reported that Buran was already undergoing flight tests. However, the details and results of these events were not disclosed. The time frame for their completion also remained unknown.

In August, at the military-technical forum "Army-2024", the company again presented its UAVs, including a heavy transport model. This time, its characteristics were clarified: it turned out that the drone is capable of carrying a significantly larger load than reported at the previous exhibition.

Recent ones news on the Buran project was received on September 25 The Izvestia publication received new interesting information from the Kotlin-Novator company about the progress of work and the prospects of the new UAV.

It is reported that several experimental multicopters have been built to date. They are currently undergoing flight tests and demonstrating their capabilities. The UAVs are capable of lifting into the air and transporting various cargoes typical of a combat zone. An experiment with transporting a person was also conducted.

In the future, Buran may also become a combat UAV. It will be possible to install optical and thermal reconnaissance systems, as well as weapons release systems. The high load capacity opens up wide possibilities for use for such purposes. The option of using Buran as an unmanned repeater for other types of UAVs, for example, for FPV systems, is also being considered.

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Drones from Kotlin-Novator at Army-2024

The developer company has not yet specified when the Buran will be ready for real operation. It can be assumed that after the completion of the current flight tests, the equipment will be sent for additional testing to the Special Operation zone. After military tests in such conditions, all the prospects of the new UAV will become clear.

Heavy class

"Buran" is built on the hexacopter scheme and is similar in its architecture to a number of existing drones. However, during its development, new technical solutions and components were used, due to which it was possible to improve certain parameters and capabilities. In addition, the design of this new domestic UAV was immediately adapted for cargo transportation.

The UAV has a typical design for its class. It is built on the basis of a compact frame, inside which the main electronic systems are located under covers. Six removable beams with propeller-motor groups are attached to the frame. Under the frame is an enlarged ski chassis, inside which the payload is located.

In flight, the Buran's diameter exceeds 2,9 m, and its height is 910 mm. The drone's own weight is declared at 80 kg.

For ease of transportation, the large-sized UAV is made disassemblable. The beams with motors are separated from the frame, and the lower basket-chassis is disassembled into several parts. All elements of the design are placed in special containers, in which they can be transported by any transport.

"Buran" is fully electric. Flight is carried out by six electric motors, powered by an onboard battery. The drone is capable of speeds of up to 70 km/h and can rise to a height of up to 3000 m. Flight is permitted at wind speeds of up to 15 m/s.

The UAV is equipped with a remote control system with a standard set of functions and a camera. The operator receives a video signal and data from the drone and can give it commands. There is also a control mode without a video signal, by current coordinates.

The Buran uses a three-band communications system. Measures have been taken to protect communications from electronic warfare, which increases the reliability of the entire system.

Cargo potential

At the HeliRussia 2024 exhibition, it was announced that the Buran UAV is capable of carrying a payload of up to 50 kg. However, according to the latest data, this figure can reach 80 kg. The load is proposed to be suspended under the frame or placed in a special net inside the chassis.

"Buran" can transport various objects corresponding to its dimensions: some weapons, ammunition containers, provisions and much more. In the future, it will be able to transport people, for example, to evacuate the wounded.

The UAV's flight duration depends on the weight of the cargo. Without a load, the Buran can stay in the air for up to 45 minutes. The maximum load reduces this time by about half.

At present, the Buran is considered exclusively as an air cargo carrier. However, the issue of installing weapons or electronic equipment for various purposes on it is being worked out. Its high load-carrying capacity opens up wide possibilities for the implementation of these ideas.

Multipurpose platform

The Buran UAV in the presented configuration has a number of important advantages and should be of interest to various customers. First of all, this device can find a place in the army, including in active troop groups.

The new heavy drone from JSC Kotlin-Novator is interesting, first of all, for its general characteristics. It is capable of lifting up to 50-80 kg of cargo and covering significant distances. In essence, it is a universal platform with wide capabilities, which can be used not only as a transport.

However, the developer company views the Buran as an air truck. At the same time, it is currently the heaviest and most load-bearing domestic copter. As a means of transport, it can replace many other existing models and significantly improve the logistics capabilities of various structures and divisions.

The Buran's payload can have both auxiliary and combat purposes. It can be equipped with an optical-electronic station and weapon. Theoretically, this UAV can be a carrier of a wide range of weapons. Its characteristics allow the use of free-fall and guided bombs of 20 and 50 kg caliber, as well as guided missiles various types. With the help of such weapons, the drone will be able to attack targets below itself or at a distance of up to 8-10 km.

In terms of range and flight duration, the Buran is inferior to existing heavy aircraft-type UAVs, but the copter design gives it other important advantages. In addition, in any case, this drone will be superior to other vertical takeoff vehicles.

Future systems

An obvious way to develop the multicopter direction is to create heavy devices with high load capacity. Such equipment can be used to solve a variety of problems and demonstrate impressive results. Recently, the Russian industry has been actively working on this concept, and the first results have already appeared at exhibitions.

This year, the promising heavy drone Buran, which is capable of carrying cargo or weapons, was first presented. It has already passed some of the tests, and its prospects will be known in the near future. At the same time, the developer company continues to work on the project, and we can expect the appearance of new modifications of Buran.

Comments

[Andy_nsk]

After reading the title, I immediately remembered another "Buran", launched in 1988. I had some minor indirect relation to this event, but my soul still aches... It is clear that these two "Burans" are not comparable either in terms of the complexity of the task being solved or the funds invested... :-(((

[Ross xnumx]

The obvious path for the development of multicopters is the creation of heavy vehicles with high load capacity.

Sometimes I want to ask the author: do you really think that heavy aircraft with high payload capacity are the pinnacle of technical progress in conquering airspace?
What about passenger planes?
Drones and copters are great... Like a scooter or bicycle in a thunderstorm or snowfall...

[AAK]

There is a solution to every typical problem (including on the battlefield). If you look at exhibitions, Russia is the most advanced country in the world. But if you look at the absence of domestic mechanical engineering and electronics in the widest range, you immediately understand Russia's trade balance... What they are writing about now should have been adopted for service 5 years before the expected start of the Second World War, but the money went to parades, churches, biathlons and all sorts of show, but it turned out that we can't even fix issues with weapons arsenals, fuel depots, with organizing the supply of troops, not to mention space, aviation and unmanned reconnaissance, communications, combat control systems, I'm not even talking about mobilization readiness and the system of pre-army military training of reserves... everywhere there is a thick hairy large gluteus maximus, and from the idiot box - a constant "... everything is fine, beautiful marquise! ..."

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: ROSS 42

Sometimes I want to ask the author: do you really think that heavy aircraft with high payload capacity are the pinnacle of technical progress in conquering airspace?

[Arzoo]

I absolutely agree. In the Dnepr group they are actively used. All supplies to the islands are built on them. Both ours and the enemy's. In the Center they are also used, but not so actively. In the rest they are very necessary. Very necessary, very relevant. A real need for them hundreds of thousands per year for the entire front.

[Arzoo]

I absolutely disagree. No need to compare long with hot. The need for transport drones is hundreds of thousands for the entire front. Effective supply with their help is built only in the Dnepr group. And there is a deficit there. In other areas they are very, very needed.

[Bonzayev Senpai Kamikadzevich]

Are you by any chance a bot, comrade?) Are you having a dialogue with yourself)

[ureport]

Yes, a transport drone is an absolutely irreplaceable thing, 100 a day should be given to the front! Of course they will be shot down, but a large number will outweigh the number of those shot down.

[Stas157]

Future systems

The obvious path for the development of multicopters is the creation of heavy vehicles with high load capacity.

The future will belong to devices that will take off vertically, like a helicopter. And fly horizontally, like an airplane, using the lift of the wing. We need to move in this direction.

[Nikolaevich I]

Quote: Stas157

The future will be for devices that will take off vertically, like a helicopter. And fly horizontally, like an airplane,

UAVs of this class are called VTOL, a type of the class are tailsitters ... In Russia they are "experimenting" with them, as with simpler schemes! In the "West" unmanned convertiplanes are becoming a "trend", including electric ones ... In design they are more complex and among Russian developments I know of 2-3 designs, no more ...

[APASUS]

And how many Burans will our Ministry of Defense buy? Then we'll talk.

[Arzoo]

It is proposed to hang the load under the frame or place it in a special net inside the chassis.

We need to think through a system of dropping. This story is needed to supply the advancing units. And there, under artillery fire, there is no way to extract anything from the net or frame. It must be dropped, and preferably on a self-inflating cushion.

[Prokop_Pork]

These are the shuttles that should run above the surface to the front line. Like a bullet there, like a bullet back. A real fairy tale.

[IS-80_RVGK2]

More exhibition pieces. While the troops are fighting with the Mavics bought with the money of the common people, living from paycheck to paycheck. While the oligarchy continues to get rich by squeezing the people like a lemon and there are continuous kickbacks and embezzlement all around. Everything you need to know about modern Russia.

[ureport]

This is what is most annoying about the SVO situation, the oligarchy, like today's PARTY, is absolutely not united with the people, but they have all the money! Of course, they are squeezed by sanctions in the West, but their interests are in the West, property, children, etc. Decisive actions are needed from the government, so that they, every minister, strain their ALIGARCHs, for some direction of breakthrough military technologies, and the rapid saturation of troops with them! And there is no need to waste time on testing, the SVO is a testing ground, as was the case with the ghoul FPV! But it turns out that they have money from Russia, but they don't give a damn about Russian soldiers, in short, nonsense, absurdity! Or do we have a government of complete impatents, when dayarki, locksmiths, realtors give their last as volunteers for the timely needs of soldiers, and the ALIGators don't give a damn! In short, the vomit that was committed by the Tsar in 1914 is the same as it is now!