Mini and micro drones for armies
An American Black Hornet UAV. Photo by the US Department of Defense.
In our country and abroad they are developing Drones of various classes. In particular, work is underway on mini- and micro-devices with various payloads. Such equipment conducts reconnaissance and expands the capabilities of units, primarily on the front lines, but not exclusively.
Miniaturization issues
Light and small UAVs are the most widely used in militaries worldwide. Multicopters of this type have a diameter of no more than tens of centimeters and a takeoff weight of hundreds of grams. They can remain airborne for tens of minutes, travel several kilometers from their launch site, and capture high-quality footage.
In some cases, further reductions in size and weight are justified. This improves performance and sometimes opens up new possibilities. However, creating such drones is not without challenges, and the results don't always meet expectations.
The advantages of mini and micro drones over larger vehicles are:
- ease of transportation - the operator carries more equipment or makes do with a smaller backpack or pouch;
- ease of use - miniature UAVs can be launched literally from the operator's hand;
- accessibility for reconnaissance - compactness allows for work not only in open areas, but also for penetration into structures;
- low visibility - small size and low-power engine reduce the distance at which the enemy can detect and recognize the device;
- Difficulty of destruction - a small maneuvering aerial target is difficult for fire weapons.
Miniaturization also has its downside. Small UAVs are sensitive to wind and precipitation, limited in flight time and communication range, and vulnerable to EW, and their design and payload are fragile. Furthermore, advanced systems are expensive. The Black Hornet package is valued at tens of thousands of dollars, and this value can be derived from contract prices (see the "Foreign Experience" section). Therefore, the choice between a miniature and a larger UAV is always a compromise: stealth and convenience versus autonomy, payload, and resistance to interference.
Such devices can be used by units of various profiles, primarily assault units and similar groups. Using UAVs, soldiers can quickly reconnoiter terrain or buildings, determine tactics, and adjust fire.
The Russian Goliath UAV. Photo: European Defence Review
This technology is also applicable in civilian applications, such as rescue operations and disaster relief. Here, the ability to fly in confined spaces and perform visual searches comes to the fore.
Foreign experience
Many countries are developing miniature UAVs, with the first notable successes dating back to the early 2010s. Some of these drones have entered serial production and are being supplied to the military, while individual prototypes have become benchmarks for developers worldwide.
The Black Hornet, from the American company Teledyne FLIR (originally the Norwegian company Prox Dynamics), is considered a benchmark in the micro-drone class. It's a miniature helicopter with a traditional design. Despite its tiny size, it carries three cameras: one facing forward, one mounted at an angle, and one shooting downward. Together, they provide a wide field of view, allowing the operator to simultaneously pilot the aircraft and conduct reconnaissance. Flight is only possible under remote control.
The family has been developing since the early 2010s and has gone through several generations. The first, the PD-100 Black Hornet 1 / Nano, was approximately 160 mm long and weighed approximately 18 g, with a speed of up to 20 km/h and a range of approximately 1 km. The current generation, the Black Hornet 4, is significantly larger. According to the manufacturer, it weighs approximately 70 g, is approximately 255 mm long, has a speed of up to 36 km/h, a communication range of over 3 km, and a flight time of over 30 minutes. Between the two generations lies the Black Hornet 3 (approximately 33 g, a range of up to 2 km, and an endurance of up to 25 minutes).
One detail is important: the army is not purchasing a separate Drone, but the entire kit. Under the American Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program, the delivery unit is the personal reconnaissance system (PRS). It consists of two drones (one in the air while the other is charging), a base station, a remote control with a screen, and a carrying case, weighing approximately 1,3 kg. According to open sources, the Pentagon has invested over $300 million in Teledyne FLIR since 2018. Several thousand drones have been ordered, corresponding to approximately 1500–2000 kits. In October 2024, another five-year contract worth up to $91 million was signed for the delivery of Black Hornet 4 systems.
The Russian Karakurt missile system in flight configuration and its transport and launch vehicle. Photo courtesy of Kalashnikov Concern.
The miniature helicopter concept, however, has not gained widespread acceptance. Most foreign mini-drones are built as copters, as this is easier to manufacture and more stable in flight. Copters of comparable size to the Black Hornet also exist. Among the known examples are developments from various countries. For example, ultra-light, palm-sized reconnaissance copters were demonstrated in China, while European companies offer pocket-sized devices, including French-designed reconnaissance microdrones for infantry units. Thus, the miniature reconnaissance niche is being explored by a wide range of manufacturers, although no single dominant standard has yet emerged, other than the Black Hornet.
Domestic development
Russian companies have already developed and brought numerous small copters into production. Mini-drones are also being developed, and there are even initial attempts to reach the micro-scale.
One of the latest developments in the mini-class is the Goliath. According to the Kalashnikov Concern, in October 2024, the successful completion of full-scale testing of the device in a special operation zone was announced. Previously, detailed performance characteristics and footage of its use were not disclosed.
The Goliath is a quadcopter with a takeoff weight of just over 1 kg in the first version (the production version, the Goliath-RU, weighs approximately 1,2 kg). The aircraft is carried by the operator in a container with a battery charger and is quickly ready for use. It is remotely controlled, and a gimbal carries an onboard camera for reconnaissance.
A caveat regarding classification is appropriate here. According to one common classification (micro-UAVs – up to 1 kg, mini-UAVs – over 1 kg), the Goliath falls into the mini class, while the 300-gram Karakurt falls into the micro class. The distinction is arbitrary, but it explains why the manufacturer categorizes devices within the same family into different categories.
The Karakurt is more interesting in its design. It's a reconnaissance quadcopter of reduced size and weight, launched from a transport and launch container (TLC). The operator carries several TLCs with the drones and a control panel on their own.
Launch of the Karakurt. Photo by Kalashnikov Concern.
The Karakurt has an elongated body with four arms and propeller-motor assemblies. During transport, the arms are stowed in the body cavities and unfold after launch. According to official Kalashnikov data, the basic version of the Karakurt-R weighs 300 g. The aircraft has an airtime of 20 minutes, reaches a speed of 25 km/h, ranges 2 km, and climbs to an altitude of 150 m.
Both lines have already received upgraded versions. The Karakurt 2.0, weighing 500 grams, now has a range of up to 2,5 km and a ceiling of up to 250 meters. The Goliath 2.0, weighing up to 1,5 kg, reportedly has increased range and flight time. The logic is clear: increased capabilities increase weight, moving the aircraft from the micro to the mini class.
There are other miniature UAVs with traditional designs. For example, the Aqua-4 is a palm-sized quadcopter weighing approximately 400 grams. It was assembled using readily available components, with a focus on simplicity. Despite its modest size, the Aqua-4 was designed to be equipped with various reconnaissance payloads: compact cameras or thermal imagers, as well as electronic equipment.
Development prospects
Mini- and micro-drones have found their place in military affairs. Accumulated experience allows us to outline possible directions for their development.
The primary role of miniature UAVs will likely remain reconnaissance. Their small size and weight preclude them from carrying complex payloads, including a sufficiently powerful warhead. Furthermore, larger and more capable platforms exist for strike missions. However, the distinction shouldn't be considered absolute: miniature loitering munitions have already emerged as a distinct category, and some "purely reconnaissance" aircraft may eventually acquire strike capabilities. It's likely that the contrast between reconnaissance and strike functions, rather than increased range or flight time, will become the primary focus of this class's development.
Payloads will continue to improve. New cameras and sensors, high-resolution thermal imagers, and possibly even compact electronic reconnaissance systems will appear. But the key limitation will remain not optics, but weight: each additional sensor will have to be paid for with flight time.
The control systems likely won't change dramatically: a reconnaissance mini-drone operates under direct operator control and doesn't require full autonomy. However, communications will need to be significantly improved. The radio channel must remain operational in the presence of obstacles and under the influence of electronic warfare. Wired solutions, which are a boon for larger FPV drones, are almost inapplicable here: a coil and fiber optic cable will significantly increase the aircraft's weight and hinder its maneuverability. Therefore, emphasis will have to be placed on the radio channel's own interference immunity, meaning frequency hopping, directional antennas, and robust protocols.
Placing drones in containers also offers potential: they serve as transport, launch, and recharging points, simplifying maintenance and flight preparation. Essentially, the container, rather than the drone itself, is gradually becoming the central component of the operator's work in the field.
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