The "Alfa-E" unmanned aerial vehicle, developed by "Tikhiye Krylya" (part of the Kalashnikov Concern), has proven its effectiveness in the harsh conditions of the Far East and the Arctic, the concern reported. The drone is used for aeromagnetic surveys with detailed terrain following for mining and geological companies.

The performance of "Alfa-E" reaches 290 linear kilometers per day – the best indicator in Russia for vertical take-off and landing drones weighing up to 30 kg. The apparatus can conduct high-precision magnetic surveys at extremely low altitudes in mountainous areas and regions with complex dissected terrain at survey scales from 1:5,000 to 1:25,000.

According to the developer, the drone is equipped with an electric motor and is capable of taking off from any solid surface, including moving objects. Its compact dimensions allow it to be transported in a passenger car, and assembly takes no more than 15 minutes. Deployment time in the field is also 15 minutes.

As noted by "Tikhiye Krylya", the use of drones in geological exploration allows for prompt acquisition of high-precision data at low cost and faster than ground surveys. The apparatus is already being used to search for ore-bearing zones in Arctic regions and areas of the Far East.