Drone Salvo Bombing - A Lethal Surprise for Armed Fighters

"Pigeon," though not a bird of peace, may bring the dawn of peace

Author: Vitaly Orlov

A new type of attack drone has been developed and mass-produced by a certain "defense" enterprise in Russia. It has received an incongruous code name for its military use - "Pigeon."

This drone is equipped with a rotary bomb delivery system that can carry and efficiently use multiple munitions at once. These drones have successfully completed military tests in special operational areas and will see a steady increase in numbers on the frontlines in the short term.

The developer of this new bombing drone is Moscow's "Stratim" Joint Stock Company, which has already deployed various medium and light drones that have been developed and mass-produced.

According to the manufacturer, in addition to the aforementioned small munition rotary drop system, the "Pigeon" drone also features a series of unique functions, enhancing its technical performance, operational characteristics, and combat potential.

Below are detailed analyses of its technical features. Notably, during the development of this new bombing drone, a combination of known solutions and easily accessible parts was successfully utilized, along with the independent accumulation and experience of "Stratim" experts in the field of drone technology.

It is precisely this combination that has given rise to the "Pigeon" quadcopter drone with its unique munition suspension system and supporting equipment.

The new attack drone adopts a rectangular fuselage structure, with equipment components arranged both inside and outside. The front of the drone is equipped with a camera, the sides have four groups of tube frames for propeller engines, the top houses the battery pack, and the bottom contains the ammunition transport and release system.

The exact dimensions of the drone remain classified, but through analysis of publicly available information, its length and width are between 800-1000 millimeters, with a payload capacity not exceeding 3.5 kilograms.

Photo: Lightweight bombing drone "Pigeon".

Main advantages: Adjustable payload up to 10 kilograms; capable of suspending multiple (2-3) 82mm mortar shells; rotating camera enables the same camera to be used for flight control and dropping munitions. Performance parameters: Flight distance up to 10 kilometers; flight altitude 500 meters; endurance time up to 20 minutes; frame size 15 inches; flight speed starts at 40 kilometers per hour.

Photo: Lightweight bombing drone "Pigeon". Main advantages: Adjustable payload up to 10 kilograms; capable of suspending multiple (2-3) 82mm mortar shells; rotating camera enables the same camera to be used for flight control and dropping munitions. Performance parameters: Flight distance up to 10 kilometers; flight altitude 500 meters; endurance time up to 20 minutes; frame size 15 inches; flight speed starts at 40 kilometers per hour.

The propeller engine group uses mass-produced electric motors, providing the drone with multiple flight modes: vertical takeoff and landing, horizontal flight, and hovering in the air. Its known performance parameters are as follows:

  • Flight distance (kilometers) — 10;
  • Flight altitude (meters) — 500;
  • Maximum speed (kilometers per hour) — 60;
  • Endurance time (hours) — 0.5.

The control system of the "Pigeon" drone is remote-controlled, meaning the bombing drone operates entirely according to the operator's instructions. In addition to optical devices and cameras, the front of the drone is also equipped with a thermal imager mounted on a movable bracket.

Communication assurance is handled by the "ground station" system - a self-developed product of "Stratim" company. To ensure secure data exchange, protected radio channels with high resistance to interference are used.

In introducing any drone, payload performance is always an important aspect. In fact, "Pigeon" is a super-light bomber capable of carrying various types of small munitions into the air and conducting precise attacks on ground targets.

According to representatives of "Stratim" company, research on two types of munition suspension systems is currently underway, each with different combat capabilities.

The first solution is relatively simple: it only suspends one 82mm mortar shell, which can be dropped according to the operator's instructions.

The second load-bearing scheme is more complex but has undoubtedly sparked great interest among experts. It uses a frame structure with two rotors inside for transporting and releasing munitions. Each rotor is equipped with a six-blade rotor driven by an electric motor. The rotor rotates within a cylindrical housing with an opening at the bottom.

The main munition loaded into this device is the VOG-17/VOG-30 fragmentation grenade for the AGS-17 vehicle-mounted automatic grenade launcher. Each rotor can hold six rounds of ammunition. Bombing can be done in single-shot or "salvo" mode, with the salvo length varying from two rounds to fully emptying the rotary magazine.

It is expected that in the near future, "Stratim" company will introduce new delivery systems for other types and calibers of munitions. The 3.5 kilogram payload weight means that "Pigeon" can not only use grenades but also other weapons, including homemade ones.

Now let us discuss the significant applications of "Pigeon." Experience from special military operations shows that medium and light drones have firmly established their place in the Russian armed forces. This new bombing drone, with its unique munition delivery device, not only significantly expands the arsenal but also opens up new possibilities - attacking multiple targets in a single combat flight, destroying large targets by deploying multiple munitions, or choosing a larger munition based on mission requirements and target characteristics.

In addition, "Pigeon" has some advantages unrelated to the delivery system: first, it is equipped with a camera that can observe ground targets and stabilize drone control in all flight modes; second, the interference-resistant control system is crucial.

More importantly, "Pigeon" can be seen as a successful lightweight drone platform that may carry more payloads in the future, not limited to bombing functions. It can also serve as a reconnaissance aircraft or signal relay, among others.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7511199281877877302/

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