They upgraded “Zaporozhets” to “Mercedes”: How the Russian Federation made “Orlans” even more dangerous

Russian invaders are actively using Orlan unmanned aerial vehicles on the front lines in Ukraine. They may appear deceptively harmless, but they actually pose a significant threat. Details are known from Radio Liberty material dated March 27.

Alexander, commander of the artillery battalion of one of the brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, recalled that in 2022 they laughed at Orlans on social networks. According to him, the jokes were broadcast by people who did not have to chase these drones for four hours.

“For us it was not funny at all. So: if you compare ‘Orlan’ 2022 and ‘Orlan’ 2023-24, it’s like comparing Mercedes and Zaporozhets, they inflated it so much,” stressed the military.

Reconnaissance drones may seem safer because they don’t explode. But the Eagles are the eyes of Russian attacks that “see” to a depth of 50 kilometers.

What is known about Orlan drones?

“Orlans”, St. It is produced by Special Technology Center LLC in St. Petersburg. Three modifications of this device are known: Orlan-10, Orlan-30 and Orlan-50.

Orlan-30 is heavier than its predecessor and is equipped with a laser rangefinder for target designation. Its successor, the Orlan-50, is even heavier and has two engines. These drones are launched from catapults.

Technical specifications of Orlan drone:

• maximum speed – up to 170 km/h;
• stay in the air – up to 18 hours;
• mission execution radius – up to 120 kilometers;
• The maximum usage altitude is up to 5000 meters.

“Eagles” are considered super-heavy targets for air defense systems that Ukrainian forces have in the battle line and border areas.

In July 2023, the Russian Ministry of Defense boasted that it had increased the supply of Orlan-10 and Orlan-30 unmanned aerial vehicles to the army by 53 times. At the same time, Russian propagandists stated that not a single operation of the invaders took place without these unmanned aerial vehicles.

Russian military media praise the Orlan camera, which supposedly shoots from a distance of 10 kilometers and gives accurate coordinates. The ability of drones to identify target clusters using cell phone signals has also been reported.

“The Russians are actively producing Orlans in large batches. They have relatively cheap small casings baked in an autoclave, with hinged mounting of target equipment in a niche (like a bomb bay in an aircraft). Orlan target equipment can be directly replaced. Aviation expert Valery Romanenko said: “It is a tool for reconnaissance “A video camera, electronic warfare equipment, an ammunition throwing mechanism or a camera block can be installed to map the area,” he said.

Options for using “Eagles”:

• as reconnaissance officers from the front line at great depths – they detect targets, adjust artillery fire and long-range MLRS;
• function of objective monitoring of the results of missile and bomb attacks;
• as part of the electronic warfare complex – they carry equipment that “jams” mobile communications and detects subscriber points;
• as strikers – they throw mines or fragmentation ammunition into the underbarrel grenade launcher.

What can be used to shoot down the Orlan drone?

Romanenko said Orlanov’s flight altitude was ideal for shooting down missiles against the American-made MIM-23 Hawk air defense system. From a financial point of view, this is justified, since the potential damage would exceed both the price of such a missile and the Russian drone itself.

An alternative could be the Swedish RBS-70 lightweight man-portable air defense system, which has a longer range than standard MANPADS. In addition, Orlans are successfully “hunted” by Starstreak missiles, American Vampire and German IRIS-T SLS, as well as British Stormer air defense systems.

However, according to an aviation expert, these weapons are not yet enough to reliably protect the entire 1,200-kilometer front line. The experience of the Defense Forces shows that it is possible to hit Orlans using the Soviet Strela-10 air defense system.

“Everything depends on the weather. Drones do not fly in rain, snow or fog. When the sky is clear, enemy planes may not be able to reach missiles at very high altitudes. But light clouds like today are the best time. Then Crew Commander Artem said, “UAVs can fly up to 3.5 kilometers.” “They have to come down and it’s easier to see their silhouettes on a white background,” he said.

Let us recall that military-political commentator Alexander Kovalenko said that Russia cannot support large-scale production of tanks and artillery. Instead, the aggressor country fires new missiles.

On March 25, Russian Armed Forces fired new Zircon type missiles into Ukraine. Focus collected everything known about them in one material.