Kronshtadt Orion
{{short description| Russian unmanned combat aerial vehicle}}
The Kronshtadt Orion is a family of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) developed by Kronstadt Group.{{cite web |url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/weapons_defence_industry_military_technology_uk/russian_kronstadt_group_details_orion-e_uav.html |title=Russian Kronstadt Group details Orion-E UAV|work=www.armyrecognition.com |date= |access-date=}}{{cite web |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/orion.htm |title=Orion UAV |work=www.globalsecurity.org |date= |access-date=}}{{cite web |url=https://euro-sd.com/2020/04/articles/exclusive/17026/certificate-of-acceptance-for-orion-uav/ |title=ORION Certificate of Acceptance signed - European Security & Defence |format= |work=euro-sd.com |date=22 April 2020 |access-date= |archive-date=2 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802155236/https://euro-sd.com/2020/04/articles/exclusive/17026/certificate-of-acceptance-for-orion-uav/ |url-status=dead }} There are several variants of the drone, both for Russia's domestic and export market.
Development
Kronstadt began the development of Orion in 2011 as part of the Russian MoD-funded Inokhodets programme.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/premium-russia-still-has-sights-set-orion/|title=Russia still has sights set on Orion - Shephard Media |work=www.shephardmedia.com |date= |access-date=}} In 2013–2015, the company revealed the first layout of the Orion. In May 2016, RIA Novosti reported that test flights of the drone had begun.
On 24 August 2021, it was reported that the Russian MoD and Kronshtadt signed a deal for the procurement of 5 combat groups of an upgraded version of Orion, Inokhodets-RU (also known as Sirius). Each group will have several drones; delivery is scheduled for 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.militarynews.ru/story.asp?rid=1&nid=555911&lang=RU|title = Минобороны РФ подписало контракты на поставку ударных беспилотников "Иноходец" и "Форпост-Р" -|trans-title = The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation signed contracts for the supply of attack drones "Pacer" and "Forpost-R" - |work=www.militarynews.ru |date= |access-date=}}{{Cite web|url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/0824/155064173/detail.shtml|title=ЦАМТО / / Компания "Кронштадт" поставит Минобороны РФ БЛА самолетного и вертолетного типов |trans-title =TsAMTO / / The Kronstadt company will supply the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation with UAVs of aircraft and helicopter types |work=armstrade.org |date= |access-date=}}{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1330349|title = Russia to begin deliveries of latest strike drones to troops from 2023 |work=tass.com |date= |access-date=}}
The large-scale Russian-Belarusian exercise Zapad in September 2021 included Orion drones.{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1337289|title = Strike drones, Terminator tank support vehicles assist in offensive at Zapad-2021 drill |work=tass.com |date= |access-date=}}
Operational history
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Orion was tested for strike missions in 2019 in Syria. In 2020, the Russian Defence Ministry received the first batch of Orion drones for trial operation.
By 9 April during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, there was video confirmation of Orion performing six successful strikes on Ukrainian vehicles, however the first combat loss of a drone was reported on 7 April.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidaxe/2022/04/09/russia-just-lost-a-killer-drone-over-ukraine-it-cant-afford-to-lose-many-more/?sh=63de35050543|title=Russia Just Lost A Killer Drone Over Ukraine. It Can't Afford To Lose Many More|date=9 April 2022|work=Forbes|first=David|last=Axe|quote=The proof is in the videos and photos of Russian drones and their victims that have circulated on social media in recent weeks. The Kremlin has released several drone video feeds depicting successful strikes on Ukrainian vehicles.}}
As of 17 August 2023, 6 Orion drones have reportedly been lost in combat according to Oryx.
Russian journalist Aleksandr Rogatkin in April 2024 commented on the relative lack of use of Orion drones by Russian military. He said that the Orions were "eclipsed by the Lancets and primitive FPV drones, which thrashed such a heap of enemy equipment that several tanks and trucks destroyed by the Orion in Mariupol did not make a difference." He also said that "this war is not for medium-altitude UAVs" and with layered air defense, they are useless as combat drones.{{Cite web |title=Куда подевались «Орионы»? |url=https://t.me/Rogatkinlive/299 |access-date=2024-04-09 |website=Telegram}}
In September 2024, during the Ukrainian Kursk incursion, the lower presence of anti-aircraft capabilities in the operational area allowed Russian forces to use Orion drones in attack and reconnaissance missions against Ukrainian formations.{{Cite web |last=Redacción |date=2024-09-11 |title=A Russian Armed Forces Orion drone successfully attacks a Ukrainian T-64B in Kursk with the new Kh-BPLA guided munition |url=https://www.zona-militar.com/en/2024/09/11/a-russian-armed-forces-orion-drone-successfully-attacks-a-ukrainian-t-64b-in-kursk-with-the-new-kh-bpla-guided-munition/ |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=Zona Militar |language=en-US}} As of 23 October 2024, there are at least 26 instances of Orion striking Ukrainian positions or armored vehicles in Kursk and Sumy regions according to the Russian OSINT project LostArmour.{{Cite web |title=Применение БПЛА "Иноходец" |trans-title=Application of the "Inokhodets" UAV |url=https://lostarmour.info/tags/inokhodets |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=lostarmour.info}} On 20 October, Ukrainian forces published a video of an Orion drone being shot down, reportedly by a Strela-10 SAM system. The Ukrainian Air Force also claimed to have destroyed one on 31 August.{{Cite web |date=2024-10-20 |title=ВСУ сбили в Курской области редкий российский дрон "Орион": чем он опасен (видео) |trans-title=The AFU shot down a rare Russian Orion drone in Kursk region: how dangerous it is (video) |url=https://focus.ua/digital/674235-vsu-sbili-v-kurskoy-oblasti-redkiy-rossiyskiy-dron-orion-chem-on-opasen-video |access-date=2024-10-23 |website=ФОКУС |language=ru}}
According to Russian sources, the first contract for the export of the Orion-E reconnaissance and strike system had been signed with an Asian country as of late December 2024.{{cite web | title=Иностранная делегация ознакомилась с производством «Орион-Э» на заводе ГК «Кронштадт» | website=Союз Авиапроизводителей России | url=https://aviationunion.ru:443/media/news/30264/ | language=ru | ref={{sfnref|Союз Авиапроизводителей России}} | access-date=2024-12-26}}
Variants
;Orion (Inokhodets)
:Original version, also known as {{Langx|ru|иноходец|lit=amble|translit=Inokhodets}}. Can carry four guided bombs or four missiles and has a maximum payload of 200 kg.{{cite web |url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/25763/Russia_Tests_Combat_Drone_in_Syria#.XmPQMEnsY5t |title=Russia Tests Combat Drone in Syria |format= |work=www.defenseworld.net |date= |access-date=}}
;Orion-E
:Export version of the Orion.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2019-09-10/enlarged-derivative-orion-uav-under-development|title = Enlarged Derivative of Orion UAV Under Development |work=www.ainonline.com |date= |access-date=}} Export contracts for the reconnaissance version of the drone have been signed.{{Cite web|url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/0720/114063657/detail.shtml|title=ЦАМТО / / "Рособоронэкспорт": экспортные контракты на поставку разведывательных БЛА "Орион" уже реализуются |trans-title = TsAMTO / / Rosoboronexport: export contracts for the supply of Orion reconnaissance UAVs are already being implemented |work=armstrade.org |date= |access-date=}}
;Helios-RLD
File:"Gelios-RLD" drone on MAKS-2021 airshow.jpg
{{Main|Kronshtadt Helios-RLD}}
:Helios-RLD is a larger version of the original Orion, with a bigger payload, classified as a high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) UAV, It weighs 5 tonnes (11,000 pounds) with a wingspan of 30 meters (98.42 feet). It is intended for autonomous operations of up to 30 hours, at altitudes above 10,000 meters. A full-scale mock-up was unveiled on August 27, 2020, at the Kronshtadt pilot plant.{{Cite web|url=https://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2020/august/6515-russian-minister-of-industry-and-trade-discovers-new-domestically-built-helios-uav.html|title = Russian Minister of Industry and Trade discovers new domestically-built Helios UAV |work=www.airrecognition.com |date= |access-date=}} The first flight is planned for 2024.{{Cite web |date=2022-01-27 |title=Беспилотник "Гелиос-РЛД" выполнит первый полет в 2024 году |url=https://ria.ru/20220127/bespilotnik-1769869437.html |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=РИА Новости |language=ru}}
;Inokhodets-RU (Sirius)
{{Main|Kronshtadt Sirius}}
:thumbAlso known as Sirius, the Inokhodets-RU is an upgraded variant of the Orion with a bigger and different design, the key difference being twin engines. Sirius is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) attack UAV, with a wingspan of 30m, length of 9m and height of 3.3m, a maximum combat load of 450kg, cruise speed of 295km/h, maximum altitude 12,000m, and an endurance of 40 hours. A full-size mock-up of the 5 tonne drone was presented at the MAKS-2019 International Aviation and Space Exposition held at Zhukovsky International Airport near Moscow, Russia.{{Cite web|url=https://www.airforce-technology.com/features/russias-top-long-range-attack-drones/|title = Russia's long-range attack drones |work=www.airforce-technology.com |access-date=|date = 27 November 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27712#.YTD-Nd869lc|title = Russia's New Stealth Drone, Su-57 Jet Team to Destroy Adversary's Air Defenses |work=www.defenseworld.net |date= 3 March 2023|access-date=}} Inokhodets-RU has been tested jointly with piloted aircraft as of August 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1495671|title=Russia tests latest Sirius drone in joint reconnaissance/strike operations with aircraft|website=TASS}} First flight occurred in 2023.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-15 |title=В России состоялся первый полет новейшего беспилотника «Сириус» |url=https://www.kommersant.ru/doc/6160829 |access-date=2023-08-15 |website=Коммерсантъ |language=ru}}
Specifications (Orion-E)
File:Combat drone "Orion-E" during the "Armiya 2021" exhibition.jpg
{{Aircraft specs
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|missiles= Vikhr-1V laser-guided antitank missile,{{cite web | url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2021-11-13/armed-orion-e-male-ucav-debuts-dubai | title=Armed Orion-E MALE UCAV Debuts in Dubai | access-date=2022-09-02 | archive-date=2021-11-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211114035440/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2021-11-13/armed-orion-e-male-ucav-debuts-dubai | url-status=dead }} S8000 Banderol cruise missile{{cite web |last1=Newdick |first1=Thomas |title=New Small Russian Cruise Missile Captured By Ukrainian Intelligence |url=https://www.twz.com/air/new-small-russian-cruise-missile-captured-by-ukraine-intelligence |website=twz.com |publisher=The War Zone |access-date=12 May 2025}}
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See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
{{Soviet and Russian UAVs|state=expanded}}
Category:Unmanned military aircraft of Russia