One of Russia's leading developers of unmanned air vehicles
(UAVs) has revealed a new concept for a medium-altitude
long-endurance aircraft aimed at the commercial market,
designed for keeping watch over ice floes in the country's
Arctic shipping lanes.
Moscow-based Transas is mainly known for developing
avionics and simulator systems for Russian aircraft, but it
has become increasingly active in the UAV market.
avionics and simulator systems for Russian aircraft, but it
has become increasingly active in the UAV market.
Its 50kg (110lb)-class Filin is in service with Russia's
Ministry of Emergency Situations, and Transas also
acknowledges it is working on an undisclosed military
UAV project.
Ministry of Emergency Situations, and Transas also
acknowledges it is working on an undisclosed military
UAV project.
Now, however, the company is exploring interest from the
ommercial market in UAV technologies, starting with its
Orion concept.
ommercial market in UAV technologies, starting with its
Orion concept.
"We are working on this," confirms Vladimir Voronov, c
hief marketing officer of Transas' unmanned air systems
division.
hief marketing officer of Transas' unmanned air systems
division.
The aircraft, which is roughly the same size as Elbit's
Hermes 450 UAV, was shown at the company's MAKS
stand as a twin-boomed aircraft carrying a forward-
looking infrared sensor and a common datalink.
Hermes 450 UAV, was shown at the company's MAKS
stand as a twin-boomed aircraft carrying a forward-
looking infrared sensor and a common datalink.
Later versions could also be equipped with a satellite
antenna to enable beyond line-of-sight operations, says
Voronov.
antenna to enable beyond line-of-sight operations, says
Voronov.
Transas unveiled the aircraft at Russia's biggest air show
to gauge interest from potential customers before deciding
whether to move forward with the project, he says.
to gauge interest from potential customers before deciding
whether to move forward with the project, he says.
The Orion is being pitched as a way to overcome a safety
risk as more ships use the warming Arctic seas, despite
the continuing presence of icebergs and other navigation
hazards.
risk as more ships use the warming Arctic seas, despite
the continuing presence of icebergs and other navigation
hazards.
If it receives sufficient customer interest, Transas envisages
the first aircraft entering service within three years.
the first aircraft entering service within three years.
Integrating UAVs into civil airspace has been controversial
in many countries, but Voronov believes Transas can
sidestep many of the safety concerns due to the remote
nature of Russia's arctic airspace.
in many countries, but Voronov believes Transas can
sidestep many of the safety concerns due to the remote
nature of Russia's arctic airspace.
Meanwhile, Transas has also experimented with using
automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast technology as
another way to reduce the risk of air-to-air collisions.
automatic dependent surveillance - broadcast technology as
another way to reduce the risk of air-to-air collisions.
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