Blackbird (combat drone)

History

2024: Product Announcement

At the end of October 2024, a new unmanned aerial vehicle "Black Thrush," created as a domestic analogue of the Turkish Bayraktar UAV, was presented in Russia. The drone is capable of carrying cargo weighing up to 160 kg and flying at an altitude of up to 3 thousand meters.

According to the Telegram channel Mash, the shock-operational tactical medium-altitude drone is equipped with an engine with a capacity of 67 hp. and a protected communication channel. "Black Thrush" is designed for use in the field and on the line of combat contact with the possibility of being in the air for up to eight hours.

As part of the presentation, the developers also demonstrated two additional drones - "Lynx" and "Tornado." The Smerch UAV, created according to the Kamov helicopter scheme, is capable of carrying Kornet anti-tank missiles or a warhead weighing up to 20 kg with a flight duration of up to 45 minutes.

For comparison, the Turkish Bayraktar TB2, manufactured by Baykar Makina, can be in the air for 12 to 24 hours with a maximum control range of up to 150 km. A complex of six such drones, including two mobile ground control points and 200 units of ammunition, is estimated at $30-70 million.

The military-political observer of the air force points to a decrease in the combat effectiveness of the Turkish Bayraktar in the context of a layered air defense system. At the same time, the drone remains relevant as a reconnaissance vehicle thanks to a high-quality optical-electronic station that allows surveillance from a safe distance.

The development of the Russian drone was carried out by a private aircraft manufacturer, which plans to test the drone in real conditions to demonstrate its capabilities.^[1]

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