Parameters and capabilities of the UAV "Albatros M5"
Preparing the Albatros M5 UAV for takeoff, June 2023.
Last year, the Russian army received and began using the first Albatros M5 unmanned aerial vehicles. These Drones are designed for aerial reconnaissance and have improved flight and technical characteristics. Over the past time, they have become widespread and demonstrated their capabilities.
New sample
The M5 UAV is one of the latest developments of the Albatross company, founded in 2017 in Korolev, Moscow Region. Initially, the company was engaged in the production of civilian drones, but in 2022 it switched to developing military products. In 2023, it moved to the Alabuga special economic zone in Tatarstan.
Albatross LLC offers several light and medium aircraft-type drones capable of carrying surveillance equipment. In 2022-2023, the company adapted one of the ready-made designs for military use. This drone was named Albatross M5.
In the first half of last year, the design work was completed, and the prototype successfully passed all the necessary tests. At the same time, serial production of the M5 was established in the Alabuga SEZ. In the near future, it was planned to send the first batch of these drones to the troops for trial operation and use in combat zones.
Launch by catapult
The appearance of the Albatross M5 in the Special Operation zone became known in June 2023 from a report by the Ministry of Defense. By that time, the new drones were already being used in units of the Ivanovo Guards Airborne Troops. The report showed preparations for takeoff and reconnaissance using these UAVs.
At the end of March 2024, the management of the Albatross company reported on the success of production. At that time, the company assembled and delivered 30 UAVs per month to customers. It was also announced that it was possible to expand production capacity and double the production rate.
In June, approximate production plans for the current year became known. The state transport leasing company, which oversees the production of the unmanned aviation, reported that 400 Albatros M5 drones will be assembled this year.
Drones at the front
During the Special Operation to Protect Donbass, the new Albatross series UAVs are used as another aerial reconnaissance tool. They fly to search for and detect enemy targets, or take turns on duty in the air.
The Albatross operator at his work station
Basically, the Albatrosses operate in the interests of the missile forces and artilleryAccording to their data, various barrel and rocket systems are conducting their combat work. At the same time, the use of such UAVs in the interests of other branches of the military is not excluded.
At the end of March, the Albatross company announced that its drones were already being used in various areas of the front and in almost all directions. However, more precise information about the number of UAVs in the troops remained unknown.
On August 21, Rossiyskaya Gazeta clarified this data. According to its information, there were about 50 drones in the combat zone at that time. They are actively used for reconnaissance and show high results. Unfortunately, there are small losses, but the overall achievements outweigh them.
On September 27, Izvestia reported that the Albatros M5 UAV had begun to enter service with the Russian army. Against the backdrop of previous News This information looks strange and raises questions. Perhaps the publication did not mean the fact of the delivery of drones to units, but some formal procedures related to this process.
UAV reconnaissance
"Albatros M5" is a reconnaissance UAV with increased range and flight duration characteristics. It is the largest in the product line of Albatros LLC and is capable of solving the most complex tasks.
Manufacturing of airframe elements
The UAV is designed as a flying wing. The main element of the design is a swept plane with a span of 3,3 m, on which a pair of keels are placed at the bottom. The glider is made of plastic and is equipped with removable consoles that simplify transportation. The takeoff weight of the drone reaches 15 kg.
The nose of the craft houses a brushless electric motor with a propeller. The motor is powered by four lithium-ion batteries of unspecified capacity, which are housed in a compartment inside the wing. These same batteries provide energy to all onboard systems and the payload.
The maximum flight speed is 120 km/h, cruising speed is about 70 km/h. The UAV can stay in the air for up to 4,5 hours, and the maximum route length reaches 300 km. Takeoff is carried out using a launch catapult, and a built-in parachute system is used for landing.
The payload of the Albatross is 5 kg. It is possible to install different types of optical-electronic systems. The video signal from the OES is transmitted to the operator via a secure radio channel and/or recorded on an internal storage device.
"Albatros M5" disassembled
The operator of the M5 system uses a control station built on the basis of commercial electronics in a protected design. Standard communication means allow control of the UAV at a distance of up to 90 km. The operator can also transmit information to a higher headquarters or direct consumers.
High potential
The Albatros M5 reconnaissance UAVs entered combat units more than a year ago and have since become quite widespread. During their use in combat zones, they have confirmed their design characteristics and earned high marks.
It is reported that the Albatros M5 is easy to operate. The unmanned system can be transported in disassembled form by any suitable transport, and preparation for use takes minimal time. Training the UAV operator is not difficult, and he does not require special skills.
The drone has a successful design, due to which an advantageous combination of technical and operational characteristics has been achieved. The flight speed is limited, but the device is capable of staying in the air for several hours. It can move away from the launch site for a considerable distance and conduct reconnaissance at tactical depth.
Testing of a pneumatic catapult
"Albatros M5" is capable of carrying a significant payload. It is proposed to use various types of OES, including models with gyrostabilization, high magnification and FullHD resolution. This allows for increased efficiency of reconnaissance and fire adjustment.
As reported, the M5 UAV is mainly used in the interests of missile troops and artillery. It is easy to see that the range of the drone significantly exceeds the firing range of the main domestic barrel and rocket systems. This gives the Albatross the ability to effectively assist almost any artillery units, regardless of the type of their weapons.
In its characteristics and main capabilities, the Albatros M5 is similar to some other domestic reconnaissance UAVs, including more widespread and common ones. The presence of several devices with similar parameters in service provides some advantages of both operational and tactical nature. In addition, this creates competition between various manufacturing companies, which should stimulate further development of the industry.
Extended capabilities
Russian industry is actively working on new UAVs of all main classes, including reconnaissance products. Last year alone, the army received several such models, and one of them was the Albatros M5 from the company of the same name.
Over the past time, this UAV has confirmed its calculated characteristics and demonstrated high efficiency in performing reconnaissance tasks. It has become an excellent addition to other unmanned systems and is actively used in various areas of the front. It is expected that the positive experience gained will contribute to the continuation of production and an increase in the number of Albatrosses in the troops.
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