Unmanned aerial vehicles. Drone: an overview of Russian and foreign unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Military drones

The ability to preserve the most valuable resource - the fighters on the battlefield from the beginning of the first wars was the most important and promising. Modern technologies allow the use of combat vehicles remotely, which eliminates the loss of an operator even when a unit is destroyed. One of the most relevant these days is the creation of unmanned aerial vehicles.

What is a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)

UAV refers to any aircraft that does not have a pilot in the air. The autonomy of the devices is different: there are the simplest options with remote control, or fully automated machines. The first option is also called a remotely piloted aircraft (RPV), they are distinguished by the continuous supply of commands from the operator. More advanced systems require only episodic commands, between which the device operates autonomously.

The main advantage of such machines over manned fighters and reconnaissance aircraft is that they are up to 20 times cheaper than their counterparts with comparable capabilities.

The disadvantage of devices is the vulnerability of communication channels, which are easy to break and disable the machine.

The history of the creation and development of the UAV

The history of drones began in the UK in 1933, when a radio-controlled aircraft was assembled on the basis of the Fairy Queen biplane. Before the outbreak of World War II and in the early years, more than 400 of these machines were assembled, which were used as targets in the Royal Navy.

The famous German V-1, equipped with a pulse jet engine, became the first combat vehicle of this class. It is noteworthy that it was possible to launch warhead aircraft both from the ground and from air carriers.

The rocket was controlled by the following means:

• an autopilot that was given altitude and heading parameters before launch;
• the range was counted by a mechanical counter, which was driven by the rotation of the blades in the bow (the latter were launched from the oncoming air flow);
• upon reaching the set distance (scatter - 6 km), fuses were cocked, and the projectile automatically switched to dive mode.

During the war years, the United States produced targets for training anti-aircraft gunners - the Radioplane OQ-2. Toward the end of the confrontation, the first reusable attack drones, the Interstate TDR, appeared. The aircraft turned out to be ineffective due to low speed and range, which were due to the cheapness of production. In addition, the technical means of that time did not allow to conduct aimed fire, to fight at a long distance without following the control aircraft. Nevertheless, there were advances in the use of machines.

In the post-war years, UAVs were regarded exclusively as targets, but the situation changed after the appearance of anti-aircraft missile systems in the troops. From that moment on, the drones became reconnaissance, false targets for enemy "anti-aircraft guns". Practice has shown that their use reduces the loss of manned aircraft.

In the Soviet Union, until the 70s, heavy reconnaissance aircraft were actively produced as unmanned vehicles:

1. Tu-123 "Hawk";
2. Tu-141 "Swift";
3. Tu-143 "Flight".

Significant aviation losses in Vietnam for the United States Army turned into a resurgence of interest in UAVs.

Here appear the means to perform various tasks;

• photo reconnaissance;
• radio intelligence;
• electronic warfare targets.

In this form, the 147E was used, which collected intelligence data so efficiently that it paid off the cost of the entire program to develop them many times over.

The practice of using UAVs has shown a much greater potential as full-fledged combat vehicles. Therefore, after the beginning of the 80s, the development of tactical and operational-strategic drones began in the United States.

Israeli specialists took part in the development of UAVs in the 80-90s. Initially, US devices were purchased, but our own scientific and technical base for development was quickly formed. The firm "Tadiran" proved to be the best. The Israeli army also demonstrated the effectiveness of the use of UAVs, carrying out operations against Syrian troops in 1982.

In the 80s and 90s, the obvious successes of unmanned aircraft provoked the start of development by many companies around the world.

In the early 2000s, the first percussion apparatus appeared - the American MQ-1 Predator. AGM-114C Hellfire missiles were installed on board. At the beginning of the century, drones were mainly used in the Middle East.

Until now, almost all countries are actively developing and implementing UAVs. For example, in 2013, the Russian Armed Forces received reconnaissance systems with a short range - "Orlan-10".

Sukhoi Design Bureau and MiG are also developing a new heavy machine - a strike aircraft with a take-off weight of up to 20 tons.

The purpose of the drone

Unmanned aerial vehicles are mainly used to solve the following tasks:

• targets, including for diverting enemy air defense systems;
• intelligence service;
• strikes against various moving and stationary targets;
• electronic warfare and others.

The effectiveness of the device in performing tasks is determined by the quality of the following means: intelligence, communications, automated control systems, weapons.

Now such aircraft successfully reduce the loss of personnel, deliver information that cannot be obtained at a line-of-sight distance.

UAV varieties

Combat drones are usually classified by type of control into remote, automatic and unmanned.

In addition, in the course of the classification by weight and performance characteristics:

• Ultralight. These are the lightest UAVs, the weight of which does not exceed 10 kg. In the air, they can spend an hour on average, the practical ceiling is 1000 meters;
• Lungs. The mass of such machines reaches 50 kg, they are able to climb 3-5 km and spend 2-3 hours in work;
• Medium. These are serious devices weighing up to a ton, their ceiling is 10 km, and they can spend up to 12 hours in the air without landing;
• Heavy. Large aircraft weighing more than a ton can climb to a height of 20 km and work for more than a day without landing.

These groups also have civil devices, of course, they are lighter and simpler. Full-fledged combat vehicles are often no smaller than manned aircraft in size.

Unmanaged

Unmanaged systems are the simplest form of UAVs. They are controlled by on-board mechanics, established flight characteristics. In this form, targets, scouts or projectiles can be used.

remote control

Remote control usually occurs by radio communication, which limits the range of the machine. For example, civilian aircraft can operate within 7-8 km.

Automatic

Basically, these are combat vehicles capable of independently performing complex tasks in the air. This class of machines is the most multifunctional.

Principle of operation

The principle of operation of the UAV depends on its design features. There are several layout schemes that most modern aircraft correspond to:

• Fixed wing. In this case, the devices are close to the aircraft layout, they have rotary or jet engines. This option is the most economical in terms of fuel and has a long range;
• Multicopters. These propeller-driven vehicles, equipped with at least two motors, are capable of vertical takeoff / landing, hovering in the air, therefore they are especially good for reconnaissance, including in an urban environment;
• Helicopter type. The layout is helicopter, propeller systems can be different, for example, Russian developments are often equipped with coaxial propellers, which makes models similar to machines such as the Black Shark;
• Convertiplanes. This is a combination of helicopter and aircraft schemes. To save space, such machines rise into the air vertically, the wing configuration changes in flight, and the aircraft method of movement becomes possible;
• Gliders. Basically, these are devices without engines that are dropped from a heavier machine and move along a given trajectory. This type is suitable for reconnaissance purposes.

Depending on the type of engine, the fuel used also varies. Electric motors are powered by a battery, internal combustion engines - gasoline, jet engines - the corresponding fuel.

The power plant is mounted in the housing, the control electronics, controls and communications are also located here. The body is a streamlined volume to give the structure an aerodynamic shape. The basis of the strength characteristics is the frame, which is usually assembled from metal or polymers.

The simplest set of control systems is as follows:

• CPU;
• barometer for determining altitude;
• accelerometer;
• gyroscope;
• navigator;
• random access memory;
• signal receiver.

Military devices are controlled by remote control (if the range is short) or by satellite.

The collection of information for the operator and the software of the machine itself comes from various types of sensors. Laser, sound, infrared and other types are used.

Navigation is carried out by GPS and electronic maps.

The incoming signals are transformed by the controller into commands that are already transmitted to the executing devices, for example, elevators.

Advantages and disadvantages of UAV

Compared to manned vehicles, UAVs have serious advantages:

1. Weight and size characteristics are improving, the survivability of a unit is growing, visibility for radars is decreasing;
2. UAVs are dozens of times cheaper than manned aircraft and helicopters, while highly specialized models can solve complex tasks on the battlefield;
3. Intelligence data when using UAVs are transmitted in real time;
4. Manned vehicles are subject to restrictions on use in combat conditions, when the risk of death is too high. There are no such problems with automated machines. Considering economic factors, sacrificing a few will be much more profitable than losing a trained pilot;
5. Combat readiness and mobility are maximum;
6. Several units can be combined into entire complexes to solve a number of complex tasks.

Any flying drone also has disadvantages:

• manned devices have much more flexibility in practice;
• so far it has not been possible to come to a unified solution to the issues of rescuing the apparatus in the event of a fall, landing on prepared sites, and reliable communication over long distances;
• the reliability of automatic devices is still significantly lower than manned analogues;
• for various reasons, in peacetime, unmanned aircraft flights are seriously limited.

Nevertheless, work continues to improve technology, including neural networks that can affect the future of UAVs.

Unmanned vehicles of Russia

Yak-133

This is a drone developed by the Irkut company - an inconspicuous device capable of conducting reconnaissance and, if necessary, destroying enemy combat units. It is supposed to be equipped with guided missiles and bombs.

A-175 "Shark"

A complex capable of conducting all-weather climate monitoring, including on difficult terrain. Initially, the model was developed by AeroRobotics LLC for peaceful purposes, but manufacturers do not exclude the release of military modifications.

"Altair"

A reconnaissance and strike apparatus capable of staying in the air for up to two days. Practical ceiling - 12 km, speed in the range of 150-250 km / h. On takeoff, the mass reaches 5 tons, of which 1 t is the payload.

BAS-62

Civil development of the Sukhoi Design Bureau. In the reconnaissance modification, it is able to collect versatile data on objects on water and land. It can be used to control power lines, mapping, monitoring the meteorological situation.

U.S. drones

EQ-4

Developed by Northrop Grumman. In 2017, the United States Army received three vehicles. They were sent to the UAE.

"Fury"

A Lockheed Martin drone designed not only for surveillance and reconnaissance, but also for electronic warfare. Able to continue flying up to 15 hours.

"Lightning Strike"

The brainchild of Aurora Flight Sciences, which is being developed as a vertical take-off combat vehicle. It develops a speed of more than 700 km / h, can carry up to 1800 kg of payload.

MQ-1B "Predator"

The development of General Atomics is a medium-altitude vehicle, which was originally created as a reconnaissance vehicle. Later it was modified into a multi-purpose vehicle.

Unmanned aerial vehicles of Israel

Mastiff

The first UAV created by the Israelis was the Mastiff, which flew in 1975. The purpose of this machine was reconnaissance on the battlefield. He stood in service until the early 90s.

Shadmit

These devices were used for reconnaissance in the early 80s, when the first Lebanon war was going on. Some of the systems used transmitted intelligence data in real time, some simulated an air invasion. Thanks to them, the fight against air defense systems was successfully carried out.

IAI "Scout"

The Scout was created as a tactical reconnaissance vehicle, for which it was equipped with a television camera and a system for broadcasting collected information in real time.

I-View MK150

Another name is "Observer". The devices were developed by the Israeli company IAI. This is a tactical vehicle equipped with an infrared surveillance system and a combined optoelectronic filling.

Unmanned vehicles of Europe

MALE RPAS

One of the recent developments is a promising reconnaissance and strike vehicle, which is being created jointly by Italian, Spanish, German and French companies. The first demonstration took place in 2018.

"Sagem Sperwer"

One of the French developments that managed to prove itself in the Balkans at the end of the last century (1990s). The creation was based on national and pan-European programs.

Eagle 1

Another French vehicle, which is designed for reconnaissance operations. It is assumed that the device will operate at altitudes of 7-8 thousand meters.

HALE

A high-altitude UAV that can fly up to 18 kilometers. In the air, the device can last up to three days.

In general, in Europe, the leading role in the development of unmanned aerial vehicles is taken by France. New products are constantly appearing around the world, including modular multifunctional models, on the basis of which various military and civilian vehicles can be assembled.

If you have any questions - leave them in the comments below the article. We or our visitors will be happy to answer them.

A robot cannot harm a person or by its inaction allow a person to be harmed.
- A. Asimov, Three Laws of Robotics

Isaac Asimov was wrong. Very soon, the electronic “eye” will take a person into sight, and the microcircuit will impassively order: “Fire to kill!”

A robot is stronger than a flesh-and-blood pilot. Ten, twenty, thirty hours of continuous flight - he demonstrates constant cheerfulness and is ready to continue the mission. Even when the g-forces reach the dreaded 10 gee, filling the body with leaden pain, the digital devil will keep his mind clear, calmly counting the course and keeping an eye on the enemy.

The digital brain does not require training and regular training to maintain skill. Mathematical models and algorithms of behavior in the air are forever loaded into the memory of the machine. Having stood for a decade in the hangar, the robot will return to the sky at any moment, taking the helm in its strong and skillful “hands”.

Their time has not yet struck. In the US military (a leader in this field of technology), drones make up a third of the fleet of all aircraft in operation. At the same time, only 1% of UAVs are able to use.

Alas, even this is more than enough to sow terror in those territories that have been given over to hunting grounds for these ruthless steel birds.

5th place - General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper (“Reaper”)

Reconnaissance and strike UAV with max. take-off weight of about 5 tons.

Flight duration: 24 hours.
Speed: up to 400 km/h.
Ceiling: 13,000 meters.
Engine: turboprop, 900 hp
Full fuel capacity: 1300 kg.

Armament: up to four Hellfire missiles and two 500-pound JDAM guided bombs.

On-board electronic equipment: AN / APY-8 radar with mapping mode (under the nose cone), MTS-B electro-optical sighting station (in a spherical module) for operation in the visible and IR ranges, with a built-in target designator for illuminating targets for ammunition with semi-active laser guidance.

Cost: $16.9 million

To date, 163 Reaper UAVs have been built.

The most high-profile case of combat use: in April 2010, in Afghanistan, the third person in the leadership of al-Qaeda, Mustafa Abu Yazid, known as Sheikh al-Masri, was killed by an MQ-9 Reaper UAV.

4th - Interstate TDR-1

Unmanned torpedo bomber.

Max. takeoff weight: 2.7 tons.
Engines: 2 x 220 HP
Cruise speed: 225 km/h,
Flight range: 680 km,
Combat load: 2000 fn. (907 kg).
Built: 162 units

“I remember the excitement that gripped me when the screen charged and covered with numerous dots - it seemed to me that the telecontrol system had failed. After a moment, I realized it was anti-aircraft guns! After correcting the drone's flight, I directed it straight into the middle of the ship. At the last second, a deck flashed before my eyes - close enough that I could see the details. Suddenly, the screen turned into a gray static background ... Obviously, the explosion killed everyone on board.

"Project Option" provided for the creation of unmanned torpedo bombers to destroy the Japanese fleet. In April 1942, the first test of the system took place - a “drone”, remotely controlled from an aircraft flying 50 km away, launched an attack on the destroyer Ward. The dropped torpedo passed exactly under the keel of the destroyer.

Takeoff TDR-1 from the deck of an aircraft carrier

Encouraged by the success, the leadership of the fleet expected by 1943 to form 18 strike squadrons consisting of 1000 UAVs and 162 command Avengers. However, the Japanese fleet was soon overwhelmed by conventional aircraft and the program lost priority.

The main secret of the TDR-1 was a small-sized video camera designed by Vladimir Zworykin. With a weight of 44 kg, she had the ability to transmit images over the air at a frequency of 40 frames per second.

“Project Option” is amazing with its boldness and early appearance, but we have 3 more amazing cars ahead of us:

3rd place - RQ-4 “Global Hawk”

Unmanned reconnaissance aircraft with max. takeoff weight of 14.6 tons.

Flight duration: 32 hours.
Max. speed: 620 km/h.
Ceiling: 18,200 meters.
Engine: turbojet with a thrust of 3 tons,
Flight range: 22,000 km.
Cost: $131 million (excluding development costs).
Built: 42 units.

The drone is equipped with a set of HISAR reconnaissance equipment, similar to what is put on modern U-2 reconnaissance aircraft. HISAR includes a synthetic aperture radar, optical and thermal cameras, and a satellite data link at a speed of 50 Mbps. It is possible to install additional equipment for electronic intelligence.

Each UAV has a set of protective equipment, including laser and radar warning stations, as well as an ALE-50 towed trap to divert missiles fired at it.

Forest fires in California, filmed by the reconnaissance "Global Hawk"

A worthy successor to the U-2 reconnaissance aircraft, soaring in the stratosphere with its huge wings spread out. RQ-4 records include long distance flights (flight from the US to Australia, 2001), the longest flight of any UAV (33 hours in the air, 2008), a drone refueling demonstration by a drone (2012). By 2013, the total flight time of the RQ-4 exceeded 100,000 hours.

The MQ-4 Triton drone was created on the basis of Global Hawk. Marine reconnaissance with a new radar, capable of surveying 7 million square meters per day. kilometers of ocean.

The Global Hawk does not carry strike weapons, but it deserves to be on the list of the most dangerous drones for knowing too much.

2nd place - X-47B “Pegasus”

Inconspicuous reconnaissance and strike UAV with max. take-off weight of 20 tons.

Cruise speed: Mach 0.9.
Ceiling: 12,000 meters.
Engine: from the F-16 fighter, thrust 8 tons.
Flight range: 3900 km.
Cost: $900 million for X-47 R&D.
Built: 2 concept demonstrators.
Armament: two internal bomb bays, combat load 2 tons.

A charismatic UAV built according to the “duck” scheme, but without the use of PGO, the role of which is played by the carrier fuselage itself, made using the “stealth” technology and having a negative installation angle with respect to the air flow. To consolidate the effect, the lower part of the fuselage in the nose is shaped similar to the descent vehicles of spacecraft.

A year ago, the X-47B amused the public with its flights from the decks of aircraft carriers. This phase of the program is now nearing completion. In the future, the appearance of an even more formidable X-47C drone with a combat load of over four tons.

1st place - “Taranis”

The concept of an inconspicuous strike UAV from the British company BAE Systems.

Little is known about the drone itself:
subsonic speed.
Stealth technology.
Turbojet engine with a thrust of 4 tons.
The appearance is reminiscent of the Russian experimental UAV Skat.
Two internal weapons bays.

What is so terrible in this "Taranis"?

The goal of the program is to develop technologies for creating an autonomous low-observable strike drone that will allow high-precision strikes against ground targets at long range and automatically evade enemy weapons.

Prior to this, disputes about a possible “jamming” and “interception of control” caused only sarcasm. Now they have completely lost their meaning: “Taranis”, in principle, is not ready for communication. He is deaf to all requests and entreaties. The robot is indifferently looking for someone whose appearance falls under the description of the enemy.

Flight test cycle at Woomera, Australia, 2013

Taranis is just the beginning of the journey. On its basis, it is planned to create an unmanned attack bomber with an intercontinental flight range. In addition, the advent of fully autonomous drones will pave the way for the creation of unmanned fighters (since existing remote-controlled UAVs are not capable of air combat due to delays in their telecontrol system).

British scientists are preparing a worthy finale for all mankind.

Epilogue

War has no feminine face. Rather not human.

Unmanned vehicles are a flight into the future. It brings us closer to the eternal human dream: to finally stop risking the lives of soldiers and to hand over feats of arms to soulless machines.

Following Moore's rule of thumb (doubling computer performance every 24 months), the future could come unexpectedly soon...

It is unlikely that robots will ever completely replace humans in those areas of activity that require the rapid adoption of non-standard decisions both in civilian life and in combat. Nevertheless, the development of drones has become a fashionable trend in the military aircraft industry over the past decade. Many militarily leading countries are mass-producing UAVs. Russia has so far failed not only to take its traditional leadership positions in the field of weapons design, but also to overcome the backlog in this segment of defense technologies. However, work in this direction is underway.

UAV Development Motivation

The first results of the use of unmanned aerial vehicles appeared back in the forties, however, the technology of that time was more in line with the concept of "aircraft-projectile". The V cruise missile could fly in one direction with its own course control system built on the inertial-gyroscopic principle.

In the 50s and 60s, Soviet air defense systems reached a high level of efficiency, and began to pose a serious danger to the aircraft of a potential enemy in the event of a real confrontation. The wars in Vietnam and the Middle East caused a real panic among the pilots of the United States and Israel. Cases of refusals to perform combat missions in areas covered by Soviet-made anti-aircraft systems have become frequent. Ultimately, the reluctance to put the lives of pilots in mortal risk prompted design companies to look for a way out.

Beginning of practical application

Israel was the first country to use unmanned aerial vehicles. In 1982, during the conflict with Syria (Bekaa Valley), reconnaissance aircraft appeared in the sky, operating in a robotic mode. With their help, the Israelis managed to detect the enemy's air defense battle formations, which made it possible to launch a missile attack on them.

The first drones were intended exclusively for reconnaissance flights over "hot" territories. At present, attack drones are also being used, having weapons and ammunition on board and directly delivering bombing and missile strikes on alleged enemy positions.

Most of them are in the United States, where "Traitors" and other types of combat aircraft robots are mass-produced.

The experience of using military aviation in the modern period, in particular the operation to pacify the South Ossetian conflict in 2008, showed that Russia also needs UAVs. Conducting reconnaissance with heavy weapons in the face of opposition from enemy air defense is risky and leads to unjustified losses. As it turned out, there are certain shortcomings in this area.

Problems

The dominant idea of ​​modern today is the opinion that Russian attack UAVs are needed to a lesser extent than reconnaissance ones. You can strike the enemy with a variety of means, including high-precision tactical missiles and artillery. Much more important is information about the deployment of his forces and the correct target designation. As American experience has shown, the use of drones directly for shelling and bombing leads to numerous mistakes, the death of civilians and their own soldiers. This does not exclude a complete rejection of impact samples, but only reveals a promising direction in which new Russian UAVs will be developed in the near future. It would seem that a country that quite recently occupied a leading position in the creation of an unmanned aerial vehicle is doomed to success today. Back in the first half of the 60s, aircraft were created that flew in automatic mode: La-17R (1963), Tu-123 (1964) and others. Leadership remained in the 70s and 80s. However, in the nineties, the technological gap became clear, and an attempt to eliminate it in the last decade, accompanied by the cost of five billion rubles, did not give the expected result.

Current position

At the moment, the most promising UAVs in Russia are represented by the following main models:

In practice, the only serial UAVs in Russia are now represented by the Tipchak artillery reconnaissance complex, capable of performing a narrowly defined range of combat missions related to target designation. The agreement between Oboronprom and IAI for the SKD assembly of Israeli drones, signed in 2010, can be viewed as a temporary measure that does not ensure the development of Russian technologies, but only covers a gap in the range of domestic defense production.

Some promising models can be considered separately within the framework of public information.

"Pacer"

Take-off weight is one ton, which is not so little for a drone. Design development is carried out by Transas, and flight tests of prototypes are currently underway. The layout, V-tail, wide wing, method of takeoff and landing (aircraft), and general characteristics roughly correspond to those of the most common American Predator at present. The Russian UAV Inokhodets will be able to carry a variety of equipment that allows reconnaissance at any time of the day, aerial photography and telecommunications support. It is assumed the possibility of producing strike, reconnaissance and civilian modifications.

"Watch"

The main model is reconnaissance, it is equipped with video and photo cameras, a thermal imager and other registration equipment. On the basis of a heavy airframe, attack UAVs can also be produced. Russia needs Dozor-600 more as a universal platform for testing production technologies for more powerful drones, but it is also impossible to exclude the launch of this particular drone into mass production. The project is currently under development. The date of the first flight is 2009, at the same time the sample was presented at the international exhibition "MAKS". Designed by Transas.

"Altair"

It can be assumed that at the moment the largest strike UAVs in Russia are the Altair, developed by the Sokol Design Bureau. The project has another name - "Altius-M". The take-off weight of these drones is five tons, it will be built by the Kazan Aviation Plant named after Gorbunov, which is part of the Tupolev Joint Stock Company. The value of the contract concluded with the Ministry of Defense is approximately one billion rubles. It is also known that these new Russian UAVs have dimensions commensurate with the dimensions of an interceptor aircraft:

• length - 11 600 mm;
• wingspan - 28 500 mm;
• plumage span - 6,000 mm.

The power of two screw aircraft diesel engines is 1000 hp. with. These reconnaissance and strike UAVs of Russia will be able to stay in the air for up to two days, covering a distance of 10 thousand kilometers. Little is known about electronic equipment, one can only guess about its capabilities.

Other types

Other Russian UAVs are also in perspective development, for example, the aforementioned Okhotnik, an unmanned heavy drone capable of performing various functions, both informative and reconnaissance and strike-assault. In addition, according to the principle of the device, diversity is also observed. Drones are both aircraft and helicopter types. A large number of rotors provides the ability to effectively maneuver and hover over the object of interest, producing high-quality surveys. Information can be quickly transmitted over coded communication channels or accumulated in the built-in memory of the equipment. UAV control can be algorithmic-software, remote or combined, in which the return to the base is carried out automatically in case of loss of control.

Apparently, unmanned Russian vehicles will soon be neither qualitatively nor quantitatively inferior to foreign models.

Hello!

I want to say right away that it’s difficult, almost impossible to believe in everything, the stereotype is to blame, but I’ll try to state it clearly and argue with specific tests.

My article is intended for people related to aviation or those who are interested in aviation.

In 2000, an idea arose, the trajectory of the movement of a mechanical blade along a circle with a turn on its axis. As shown in Fig.1.

And so imagine, the blade (1), (flat rectangular plate, side view) rotating around the circle (3) turns on its axis (2) in a certain dependence, by 2 degrees of rotation around the circle, 1 degree of turn on its axis (2) . As a result, we have the trajectory of the blade (1) shown in Fig. 1. And now imagine that the blade is in a fluid medium, in air or water, with such a movement the following occurs, moving in one direction (5) along the circumference, the blade has the maximum resistance to the fluid, and moving in the other direction (4) along the circumference, has minimal fluid resistance.

This is the principle of operation of the propeller, it remains to invent a mechanism that executes the trajectory of the blade. This is what I did from 2000 to 2013. The mechanism was named VRK, which stands for Rotating Unfolding Wing. In this description, wing, blade, and plate have the same meaning.

I created my own workshop and started to create, I tried different options, around 2004-2005 I got the following result.

Rice. 2

Rice. 3

I made a simulator to check the lifting force of the VRK Fig.2. The VRK is made of three blades, the blades along the inner perimeter have a stretched red raincoat fabric, the meaning of the simulator is to overcome the force of gravity of 4 kg. Fig.3. I attached the steelyard to the VRK shaft. Result Fig.4:

Rice. 4

The simulator lifted this load with ease, there was a report on the local television of the State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company of Bira, these are frames from this report. Then he added speed and adjusted it to 7 kg., the simulator lifted this load as well, after that he tried to add more speed, but the mechanism could not stand it. Therefore, I can judge the experiment by this result, although it is not final, but in numbers it looks like this:

The clip shows a simulator for testing the lifting force of the VRK. On the legs, a horizontal structure is hinged, on the one hand, a VRK is installed, on the other, a drive. Drive - el. engine 0.75 kW, efficiency el. engine 0.75%, that is, in fact, the engine produces 0.75 * 0.75 \u003d 0.5625 kW, we know that 1l.s \u003d 0.7355 kW.

Before turning on the simulator, I weigh the VRK shaft with a steelyard, the weight is 4 kg. This can be seen from the clip, after the report I changed the gear ratio, added speed and added weight, as a result, the simulator lifted 7 kilograms, after which, with an increase in weight and speed, it could not stand it. Let's return to the calculations after the fact, if 0.5625kW lifts 7 kg, then 1hp = 0.7355kW will lift 0.7355kW / 0.5625KW = 1.3 and 7 * 1.3 = 9.1kg.

During testing, the VRK propulsor showed a vertical lifting force of 9.1 kg / per horsepower. For example, a helicopter has half the lift. (I compare the technical characteristics of helicopters, where the maximum take-off weight per engine power is 3.5-4 kg / 1 hp, for an aircraft it is 8 kg / 1 hp). I would like to note that this is not the final result, for testing, the VRK must be done in the factory and on a stand with precision instruments, to determine the lifting force.

The VRK propulsor has the technical ability to change the direction of the driving force by 360 degrees, which allows for vertical take-off and switching to horizontal movement. In this article, I do not dwell on this issue, it is set out in my patents.

Received 2 patents for VRK Fig.5, Fig.6, but today they are not valid for non-payment. But all the information for creating a VRC is not in the patents.

Rice. 5

Rice. 6

Now the most difficult thing, everyone has a stereotype about existing aircraft, this is an airplane and a helicopter (I'm not taking examples of jet propulsion or rockets).

VRK - having an advantage over the propeller, such as a higher driving force and a change in direction of movement by 360 degrees, allows you to create completely new aircraft for various purposes, which will take off vertically from any platform and smoothly switch to horizontal movement.

In terms of the complexity of production, aircraft with VRK are no more complicated than a car, the purpose of aircraft can be very different:

• Individual, put on the back, and flew like a bird;
• Family type of transport, for 4-5 people, Fig. 7;
• Municipal transport: ambulance, police, administration, fire department, Ministry of Emergency Situations, etc., Fig. 7;
• Airbuses for peripheral and intercity traffic, Fig.8;
• An aircraft taking off vertically on a VRK, switching to jet engines, Fig. nine;
• And any aircraft for various tasks.

Rice. 7

Rice. eight

Rice. nine

Their appearance and the principle of flight are difficult to perceive. In addition to aircraft, the VRK can be used as a propulsion device for swimming vehicles, but we do not touch on this topic here.

VRK is a whole area that I cannot cope with alone, I would like to hope that this direction will be required in Russia.

Having received the result in 2004-2005, I was inspired and hoped that I would quickly convey my thoughts to the experts, but until this happened, all the years I made new versions of the VRK, applied different kinematic schemes, but the test result was negative. In 2011, repeated the 2004-2005 version, email. I turned on the engine through an inverter, this ensured a smooth start of the VRK, however, the mechanism of the VRK was made from the materials available to me according to a simplified version, so I can’t give the maximum load, I adjusted it by 2 kg.

Slowly I raise the speed of email. engine, as a result of the VRK shows a silent smooth takeoff.

Full clip of the last test:

On this optimistic note, I say goodbye to you.

Sincerely, Kokhochev Anatoly Alekseevich.

In Hollywood science fiction films, the image of an unmanned aerial strike vehicle is quite often traced. So, at present The United States is the world leader in the construction and design of drones. And they do not stop there, more and more increasing the fleet of UAVs in the armed forces.

Having gained experience in the first, second Iraqi campaigns and the Afghan campaign, the Pentagon continues to develop unmanned systems. UAV purchases will be increased, criteria for new devices are being created. UAVs first occupied the niche of light reconnaissance aircraft, but already in the 2000s it became clear that they were also promising as strike aircraft - they were used in Yemen, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Drones have become full-fledged strike units.

MQ-9 Reaper "Reaper"

The last purchase of the Pentagon was order 24 strike UAVs of the MQ-9 Reaper type. This contract will almost double their number in the armed forces (in early 2009, the US had 28 of these drones). Gradually, the "Reapers" (according to Anglo-Saxon mythology, the image of death) should replace the older "Predators" MQ-1 Predator, about 200 of them are in service.

UAV MQ-9 Reaper first took to the air in February 2001. The device was created in 2 versions: turboprop and turbojet, but the US Air Force, interested in new technology, indicated the need for uniformity, refusing to purchase a jet version. In addition, despite the high aerobatic qualities (for example, a practical ceiling of up to 19 kilometers), he could be in the air for no more than 18 hours, which did not tire the Air Force. The turboprop model went into production on a 910-horsepower TPE-331 engine, the brainchild of Garrett AiResearch.

Basic performance characteristics of the "Reaper":

- Weight: 2223 kg (empty) and 4760 kg (maximum);
- Maximum speed - 482 km / h and cruising - about 300 km / h;
- Maximum flight range - 5800 ... 5900 km;
- With a full load, the UAV will do its job for about 14 hours. In total, the MQ-9 is able to stay in the air for up to 28-30 hours;
- Practical ceiling - up to 15 kilometers, and the working altitude level -7.5 km;

Armament "Reaper": has 6 suspension points, a total payload of up to 3800 pounds, so instead of 2 AGM-114 Hellfire guided missiles on the Predator, its more advanced counterpart can take up to 14 SD.
The second option for equipping the Reaper is a combination of 4 Hellfires and 2 five-hundred-pound laser-guided GBU-12 Paveway II guided bombs.
In the 500 lb caliber, it is also possible to use GPS-guided JDAM weapons, such as the GBU-38 ammunition. Air-to-air weapons are represented by the AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles and more recently the AIM-92 Stinger, a modification of the well-known MANPADS missile adapted for air launch.

avionics: AN/APY-8 Lynx II Synthetic Aperture Radar capable of mapping mode - in the nose cone. At low (up to 70 knots) speeds, the radar allows you to scan the surface with a resolution of one meter, viewing 25 square kilometers per minute. At high speeds (about 250 knots) - up to 60 square kilometers.

In search modes, the radar, in the so-called SPOT mode, provides instantaneous "images" of local areas of the earth's surface measuring 300 × 170 meters from a distance of up to 40 kilometers, while the resolution reaches 10 centimeters. Combined electron-optical and thermal imaging sighting station MTS-B - on a spherical suspension under the fuselage. Includes a laser rangefinder-target designator capable of targeting the entire range of US and NATO munitions with semi-active laser guidance.

In 2007, the first attack squadron "Reapers" was formed., they entered service with the 42nd strike squadron, which is located at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada. In 2008, they were armed with the 174th Fighter Wing of the National Guard Air Force. NASA, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Border Guard also have specially equipped Reapers.
The system was not put up for sale. Of the allies of the "Reapers" bought Australia and England. Germany abandoned this system in favor of its developments and Israeli ones.

prospects

The next generation of medium-sized UAVs under the MQ-X and MQ-M programs should be on the wing by 2020. The military wants to simultaneously expand the combat capabilities of the strike UAV and integrate it as much as possible into the overall combat system.

Main tasks:

- They plan to create such a basic platform that can be used in all theaters of military operations, which will multiply the functionality of the Air Force unmanned grouping in the region, as well as increase the speed and flexibility of response to emerging threats.

- Increasing the autonomy of the device and increasing the ability to perform tasks in difficult weather conditions. Automatic takeoff and landing, exit to the combat patrol area.

- Interception of air targets, direct support of ground forces, the use of a drone as an integrated reconnaissance complex, a set of electronic warfare tasks and the tasks of providing communications and lighting the situation in the form of deploying an information gateway based on an aircraft.

- Suppression of the enemy air defense system.

- By 2030, they plan to create a model of a tanker drone, a kind of unmanned tanker capable of supplying fuel to other aircraft - this will dramatically increase the duration of being in the air.

- There are plans to create UAV modifications that will be used in search and rescue and evacuation missions related to the air transfer of people.

- The concept of combat use of UAVs is planned to include the architecture of the so-called "swarm" (SWARM), which will allow for the joint combat use of groups of unmanned aircraft for the exchange of intelligence information and strike actions.

- As a result, UAVs should "grow" to such tasks as inclusion in the country's air defense system and even delivering strategic strikes. This is attributed to the middle of the 21st century.

Fleet

In early February 2011, a jet took off from Edwards Air Force Base (California) UAV Kh-47V. Drones for the Navy began to be developed in 2001. Sea trials should begin in 2013.

Basic requirements of the Navy:
— deck-based, including landing without violating the stealth regime;
- two full-fledged compartments for installing weapons, the total weight of which, according to a number of reports, can reach two tons;
— air refueling system.

The US is developing a list of requirements for the 6th generation fighter:

- Equipping with next-generation on-board information and control systems, stealth technologies.

- Hypersonic speed, that is, speeds above Mach 5-6.

- Possibility of unmanned control.

- The electronic element base of the aircraft's on-board systems should give way to optical, built on photonics technologies, with a complete transition to fiber-optic communication lines.

Thus, the United States confidently maintains its position in the development, deployment and accumulation of experience in the combat use of UAVs. Participation in a number of local wars allowed the US armed forces to maintain personnel in combat readiness, improve equipment and technologies, combat use and control schemes.

The Armed Forces received unique combat experience and the opportunity in practice to uncover and correct the flaws of the designers without major risks. UAVs are becoming part of a single combat system - conducting a "network-centric war".