Orion

The Orion (Орион), also known by its military designation Inokhodets (Иноходец | "Pacer"), is a Russian medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle developed by Kronshtadt Group (АО Кронштадт). It is Russia's first domestically produced MALE-class UAV, designed for aerial reconnaissance, surveillance, target coordinate acquisition, and strike missions. SPECIFICATIONS Wingspan: 16 m Length: 8 m Height: 3 m Max Takeoff Weight: 1,150 kg Payload Capacity: 250 kg (normal/max combat load) Cruise Speed: 200 km/h Max Endurance: ≥30 hours (ferry) Endurance with Standard Payload: ≥24 hours Service Ceiling: ≥7,000 m Operating Radius (line-of-sight): ≥200 km Operating Radius (SATCOM): Unlimited Engine: APD-115T (115 hp piston) CAPABILITIES Aerial reconnaissance and surveillance Aerial patrol Target coordinate determination (ground and surface) Topographic survey Autonomous radar-based takeoff and landing (GPS-denied environments) Low acoustic signature for covert observation Real-time data transmission to ground control station ARMAMENT (Strike Variants) The armed variant carries precision-guided munitions on underwing hardpoints, including: - UPAB-50 guided bombs - KAB-20 and KAB-50 guided bombs - Kornet-D ATGM adaptation reported VARIANTS Orion: Original reconnaissance variant. Entered service 2020. Orion-E (Орион-Э): Export version marketed by Rosoboronexport. Orion-E2 (Орион-Э2): Enhanced export variant with improved payload and endurance. Inokhodets-RU (Иноходец-РУ): Armed strike variant deployed in Ukraine. Helios-RLD (Гелиос-РЛД): Radar early warning derivative based on Orion airframe. COMBAT USE Deployed in Syria (2018–2019) for combat testing. Extensively used in Ukraine since 2022 for ISR and strike missions. Ukrainian forces have shot down multiple Orion/Inokhodets UAVs. The system has demonstrated both reconnaissance and precision strike capabilities in combat. MANUFACTURER Kronshtadt Group (АО Кронштадт), St. Petersburg, Russia. Previously known as Transas. Sanctioned by US (OFAC SDN list, entity list 2023), UK, and EU for involvement in Russian military UAV production.