Russia has started the global market promotion of the Orion-E medium-altitude long endurance (MALE) reconnaissance/strike unmanned aerial vehicle. This seems to be a significant breakthrough for the Russian aero industry, which could look unlikely a few years ago.
The company’s delegation is ready to provide comprehensive information on the Orion-E unmanned aerial vehicle, which Rosoboronexport has started promoting worldwide in a reconnaissance/strike version», – said the Russian defense exporter on 12th July on the eve of the DEFEA 2021 expo in Athens, Greece.
The full-size Orion-E UAV fitted with aerial weapons was for the first time showcased late in June.
The Orion-E, developed and manufactured by the Kronstadt company, is intended for performing missions in a wide range of climate zones. The maximum take-off weight is 1.1 t, the maximum payload weight is 250 kg. The maximum flight duration is 30 hours, and the speed is up to 200 km/h. The drone can conduct reconnaissance in the optical, infrared and radio wave ranges. From one ground control point up to 4 UAVs can be simultaneously controlled, says the official presentation.
It is equipped with replaceable payloads based on modular principle. There are three hard points for various aerial weapons. Another Russian UAV which is actively promoted at the major expos is the reconnaissance Orlan-10E.
