Artillerymen of the "North" group of troops destroyed disguised enemy positions — mere minutes passed from detection to strike. The multifunctional unmanned system "Orlan-10" not only detected hidden positions, but also conducted artillery fire adjustment in real time until the target was destroyed. This was reported by the Ministry of Defense of Russia. UAV operators acted as part of the unmanned systems unit of the 71st Guards Motor Rifle Division. According to the agency, the position was destroyed along with enemy personnel. The specific area of combat use is not officially named. Independent verification of the data is impossible — access for third-party observers to the conflict zone is limited.
How "Orlan-10" Closes the Loop Between Reconnaissance and Strike
The traditional artillery operation scheme involves a gap between reconnaissance and fire: the target is detected, coordinates are transmitted along the chain, and the calculation opens fire. During this time, the target manages to change position. "Orlan-10" eliminates this gap: the stabilized optoelectronic station of the drone keeps the target in sight while the artillery works, and the operators adjust the fire directly.
According to the Ministry of Defense, the established communication between operators and artillery crews allowed for instant transmission of corrections — without delay in the passage of data along the command vertical.
How the Calculation is Structured and How Much Time is Needed for Deployment
The "Orlan-10" calculation, according to a separate video material from the Ministry of Defense, consists of six people: the head of the calculation, two UAV control operators, two payload operators, and a maintenance technician. Deploying the equipment and getting the device into the air takes less than 15 minutes. To reduce risks, the calculation works with the support of electronic intelligence (ELINT) specialists — they are able to intercept the signal of an enemy drone during a sortie.
Specifications of the "Orlan-10" Unmanned System
- Weight: 14 kg
- Wingspan: more than 3 m
- Payload: up to 5 kg
- Maximum speed: up to 130 km/h
- Flight altitude: up to 5 km
- Calculation deployment time: no more than 15 minutes
- Calculation composition: 6 people
- Type: multifunctional reconnaissance UAV of aircraft type
- Developer: Special Technological Center (STC), St. Petersburg
- Application: aerial reconnaissance, targeting and artillery fire adjustment
In addition to working with artillery, "Orlan-10" is used in tandem with the "Molniya" strike drone: the scout detects the target, "Molniya" flies out to destroy it. This scheme closes point tasks where artillery is excessive or unavailable. This tandem is not officially mentioned in this episode — the Ministry of Defense recorded the work of the "Orlan-10 — artillery" link specifically.
The speed of the "detection — strike" loop has become a key indicator of effectiveness in modern armed conflict: the target lives in position for minutes, not hours. "Orlan-10" solves this problem not due to the speed of the device itself, but due to the direct communication channel between the operator and the artillery crew. It is this principle — the drone as a fire control link, and not just a scout — that determines the tactics of using aircraft-type UAVs in the theater of operations.
Read more materials on the topic:
- Working in conjunction is more effective: the Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone has begun to be used in tandem with the Molniya strike drone
- Russian drones have completely gotten rid of foreign parts
- Orlan-10 reconnaissance drones have become invulnerable to interceptors
