Reconnaissance UAVs

The main articles are:

• UAV
• Combat robots and drones

2025

In the troops of radiation, chemical and biological protection of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation created drone units

At the end of August 2025, it became known about the creation of specialized drone units in the troops of radiation, chemical and biological protection (RCBZ). According to Izvestia, the new UAVs are used for reconnaissance in conditions of chemical, biological and radiation pollution, aerosol camouflage of objects, as well as for sanitary and special processing of equipment and personnel. According to experts, this will reduce losses and increase the operational efficiency of the troops. Read more here.

Regiments of unmanned systems are formed as part of all fleets of the Russian Navy

The Russian Navy in May 2025 began the formation of specialized regiments of unmanned systems as part of all fleets. The new military units will unite various types of robotic complexes: air drones, ground drones, driverless boats and underwater uninhabited vehicles for reconnaissance and strike missions. Read more here.

2024

Supercam S350 drone presented in Russia to protect state borders

In early August 2024, the Unmanned Systems Group of Companies (GC) announced the development of the Supercam S350M unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for reconnaissance and protection of state borders. The model can be equipped with different types of payloads. Read more here

Russian troops received Supercam reconnaissance drones and strike with them in a few minutes

On January 24, 2024, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Vostok group of forces received the latest unmanned aerial vehicles Supercam, designed for reconnaissance. These drones carry out round-the-clock duty in the special operation zone, helping to adjust the attack on the enemy by artillery, tanks and other combat vehicles. Read more here.

Rosatom began using an ice reconnaissance complex based on UAVs

On February 1, 2024, Rosatom State Corporation announced the start of operation of an ice reconnaissance complex based on a deck-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Radar images of the Marine Channel are transmitted to the Unified Platform for Digital Services of the Northern Sea Route ( NSR) and posted on a single geoinformation portal. Read more here.

The Russian UAV "Yaz-5" for reconnaissance and transportation of goods is presented. Price, video

On July 8, 2024, Quintessence presented a new development - the Yaz-5 unmanned tiltrotor, designed for reconnaissance and cargo transportation. Read more here.

In Russia, a reconnaissance and strike complex with missiles, bombs and a machine gun for the destruction of sea and flying drones is presented

In Russia, a new Hunter reconnaissance and strike complex is presented, designed to destroy sea and flying drones. The presentation of the complex, developed by the Belarusian design bureau "Unmanned Helicopters," took place on June 6, 2024 in Moscow. Read more here.

Presented the Russian drone "Strepet" with a satellite system protected from interference

On June 11, 2024, a new Russian reconnaissance drone Strepet was presented in Moscow, equipped with a satellite system protected from interference. This VTOL drone developed by the Stratim Design Bureau. They said that the novelty has a unique technological base and a high degree of autonomy. Read more here.

Russian army receives Aqua-4 reconnaissance drone for flights inside buildings to be cleaned

The new reconnaissance FPV-drone "Aqua-4" for assault operations inside buildings was developed by Russian specialists and tested. This became known at the beginning of December 4, 2024. The device is designed to analyze the situation and collect information during cleaning of the premises. Read more here.

Announcement of the drone "Orion-E"

In early August 2024, it became known that the Russian company Kronstadt had released the Orion-E reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicle, which has a long flight duration. The complex is designed for conducting aerial radar, radio engineering and optical-electronic reconnaissance and destruction of single ground and surface objects. Read more here.

"Kalashnikov" presented a reconnaissance mini-drone "Karakurt"

In April 2024, the Kalashnikov concern presented the Karakurt reconnaissance mini-drone. According to the developers, this unmanned aerial vehicle has high performance launch maneuverability in conditions of limited space from a compact transport and launch container. Read more here.

The Russian army received an Albatros M5 reconnaissance drone resistant to electronic warfare means

At the end of March 2024, Albatross announced the creation of a modernized long-range reconnaissance drone Albatros M5. According to the developers, drones are resistant to electronic warfare (electronic warfare), which are used by the enemy in the zone of special military operation (SVO) of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. Read more here.

2023

A drone with a thermal imaging camera has been created in Russia for flights in fog and smoke conditions

The Optical and Mechanical Design Bureau Astron (part of the Schwabe holding of the Rostec state corporation) has developed a helicopter-type drone BPLA-400T designed for reconnaissance and targeting. In addition, the drone can be used for civilian purposes, for example, to search for people in hard-to-reach areas, the Rostec press service said on July 7, 2023.

In Russia, a drone capable of autonomously recharging and reconnaissance is presented

On August 4, 2023, it became known that the Radar MMS Scientific and Production Enterprise, specializing in the creation of electronic systems and complexes, has developed a new helicopter-type electric drone. This aircraft is able to recharge and conduct reconnaissance in a fully automatic mode. Read more here.

Eleron-7 reconnaissance drone with thermal imaging camera developed in Russia

On September 17, 2023, it became known that the Russian enterprise JSC Enix had modernized the Eleron-7 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The drone received a number of improvements, including an improved thermal imaging camera. Read more here.

New underwater drone unveiled

At the end of March 2023, Spektr-Engineering spoke about the creation of an underwater drone called Scat, which is designed for monitoring, reconnaissance and demining. The cost of the drone is 1.5 million rubles, said Andrei Bratenkov, executive director of the design bureau. Read more here.

In Russia, created a drone "Buttercup," resistant to electronic warfare. Video

Specialists of the Sakhalin Center for Unmanned Technologies have developed the Buttercup quadcopter resistant to electronic warfare (electronic warfare). The device is designed for reconnaissance and delivery of ammunition. The organization told about this in early June 2023. Read more here.

In Russia, created a combat drone "Cuckoo," capable of carrying 3 ammunition

On July 18, 2023, it became known that an analog drone "Cuckoo" was developed in Yekaterinburg, which can be used for various purposes. It can be used for reconnaissance or to strike at the enemy. Read more here.

Disposable reconnaissance drones launched with a rocket launcher presented in Russia

At the end of June 2023, at one of the exhibitions in Moscow, the modernized Vzor reconnaissance complex was presented, which is used in the military special operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine. The developer (his name is not disclosed) of the device calls him an alternative to reconnaissance drones. Read more here.

Komar reconnaissance drone with stabilization system presented in Russia

On June 30, 2023, the Russian company Component announced the development of a Komar unmanned aerial vehicle designed for reconnaissance. Read more here.

2022

Moscow Region factory for the production of strike drones goes to work in 3 shifts

The Russian plant for the serial production of reconnaissance and strike drones in Dubna will work in three shifts. This was announced at the end of June 2022 by the deputy general director of the company-owner of the enterprise - the Kronstadt (group of companies) group Aleksei Belykh at a meeting with employees of the Dubnensky Machine-Building Plant (DMZ). Read more here.

Russian reconnaissance drones "Orlan-10" became combat and began to be used in a special operation in Ukraine

On May 13, 2022, it became known about the endowing of the Orlan-10 reconnaissance drone with strike functions and its use during the Russian special operation in Ukraine. These unmanned aerial vehicles weigh 14 kg, can carry 5 kg of payload and fly about 110 km. Read more here.

A flying reconnaissance drone has been created that knows how to hide and attack only armed people

In mid-November 2022, the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems released an autonomous kamikaze drone Lanius. The device is a maneuverable racing quadcopter with a number of AI-based reconnaissance, mapping and target classification capabilities, as well as the ability to explode when necessary. Read more here.

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