Orion drones challenge Ukrainian defences with high-altitude tactics
The Ukrainian armed forces have addressed the growing issue on the front lines posed by Orlan and Zala drones. However, they still face challenges with another device used by the Russians. The Orion, as it is known, remains a very difficult drone to intercept.
Drones are becoming an increasingly significant element used to gain an advantage in the conflict in Ukraine. Both Ukrainians and Russians employ them. The former regularly modify their designs, mounting, among other things, flammable charges (e.g., thermite) on them, turning the drones into flying flamethrowers.
Ukrainians cannot handle Orion drones
The opposing side of the conflict also has equipment that regularly destroys Ukrainian positions. This includes Orlan and Zala drones. With these, however, the defenders have learned to combat them. In the arsenal of the Russian Federation, though, there exists equipment that is much more difficult to intercept. This Russian ace up the sleeve is the Orion drone – a drone used for round-the-clock reconnaissance at distances too great for Ukrainians to employ their air defence systems against it.
Military analyst Aleksandr Kovalenko, on his Telegram, reported that over the Black Sea, Orion unmanned aerial vehicles conduct round-the-clock barricade and reconnaissance operations in the direction of the Mykolaiv and Odesa regions.
Kovalenko also notes that shooting down Orions using other drones is not yet possible compared to the aforementioned Orlan and Zala drones. The problem is primarily the operational distance of the Orions from the coast, from where Ukrainian drones can be launched—reaching even 180 kilometres. Moreover, the Russian equipment operates at an altitude of up to 8 kilometres, which makes interception significantly more difficult.
Russian drone operating at high altitude
The Russian Orion drone was first flown in October 2016. It is powered by a Turbax internal combustion engine, which generates 114 hp. The Orion's wingspan is 16 metres, its length is 8 metres, and its height is just over 3 metres.
The takeoff weight of this design reaches 1,100 kilograms, of which a maximum of 450 kilograms is allocated for armaments. Equipped with, for example, S-8 missiles or various types of guided bombs, the Orion can accelerate to 250 km/h (cruising speed is 120 km/h). The manufacturer has ensured that the aircraft can remain in the air for a whole day. During this time, it can fire on enemy units and, above all, conduct aerial observation at an altitude of 7-8 kilometres.
