Orion | |
---|---|
Orion UAV | |
Role | Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle (reconnaissance variant) and unmanned combat aerial vehicle (armed variant) |
National origin | Russia |
Manufacturer | Kronstadt Group |
First flight | 2016 |
Introduction | 2020 [1] |
Status | In service |
Primary user | Russian Ground Forces |
Number built | 48+ [2][ better source needed] [3] |
The Kronshtadt Orion is a family of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) developed by Kronstadt Group. [4] [5] [6] There are several variants of the drone, both for Russia's domestic and export market.
Kronstadt began the development of Orion in 2011 as part of the Russian MoD-funded Inokhodets programme. [7] 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. [5]
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. [8] [9] [10]
The large-scale Russian-Belarusian exercise Zapad in September 2021 included Orion drones. [11]
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. [12]
As of 17 August 2023, 6 Orion drones have reportedly been lost in combat according to Oryx. Oryx only counts losses confirmed through open sources. [13]
Russian journalist Alexander 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 In layered air defense, they are useless as combat drones. [14]
Data from Kronstadt Company [24]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
The Kronstadt plant, built last year, is switching to a three-shift mode of operation...According to unofficial data, the Kronstadt plant has been mass-producing Orions for four months now and managed to deliver eight complexes to the army, each of which includes a command post, a communication module and six UAVs. It was also reported that 12 more complexes are planned for dispatch in the coming month.
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.
Orion | |
---|---|
Orion UAV | |
Role | Unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicle (reconnaissance variant) and unmanned combat aerial vehicle (armed variant) |
National origin | Russia |
Manufacturer | Kronstadt Group |
First flight | 2016 |
Introduction | 2020 [1] |
Status | In service |
Primary user | Russian Ground Forces |
Number built | 48+ [2][ better source needed] [3] |
The Kronshtadt Orion is a family of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) developed by Kronstadt Group. [4] [5] [6] There are several variants of the drone, both for Russia's domestic and export market.
Kronstadt began the development of Orion in 2011 as part of the Russian MoD-funded Inokhodets programme. [7] 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. [5]
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. [8] [9] [10]
The large-scale Russian-Belarusian exercise Zapad in September 2021 included Orion drones. [11]
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. [12]
As of 17 August 2023, 6 Orion drones have reportedly been lost in combat according to Oryx. Oryx only counts losses confirmed through open sources. [13]
Russian journalist Alexander 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 In layered air defense, they are useless as combat drones. [14]
Data from Kronstadt Company [24]
General characteristics
Performance
Armament
The Kronstadt plant, built last year, is switching to a three-shift mode of operation...According to unofficial data, the Kronstadt plant has been mass-producing Orions for four months now and managed to deliver eight complexes to the army, each of which includes a command post, a communication module and six UAVs. It was also reported that 12 more complexes are planned for dispatch in the coming month.
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.