Russia has announced a surge in international interest in its Supercam series of drones, with the country already exporting these advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to several global clients, including Belarus and Pakistan.
This announcement came from the Unmanned Systems Group, the developer of the Supercam drones, during the ongoing Army-2024 International Military-Technical Forum. The event is being held from August 12 to 14, 2024, at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Center in Moscow.
The Unmanned Systems group said that the Supercam drones were experiencing significant demand not only in Russia but also among former Soviet Union countries like Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
In particular, the Supercam S150 has been supplied to the Armed Forces of Belarus, where it plays a vital role in various operations. The drone is utilized in command and staff exercises, border security, and other military activities, showcasing its versatility and effectiveness.
The Supercam S150 is designed as a multipurpose platform equipped to handle a wide range of tasks. Its functionalities include mapping, patrolling, monitoring, search operations, and surveying large areas.
The drone features advanced optoelectronic systems, computer vision capabilities, and automatic tracking and targeting mechanisms. It is particularly noted for its high-precision aerial photography, facilitated by the option to install a geodetic-class GNSS receiver, making it suitable for detailed reconnaissance and surveillance at any time of day.
Beyond Russia and former Soviet Union nations, the Supercam family of drones has also extended its reach to several other countries. The company disclosed that Pakistan, Nigeria, and Angola were among the countries that have expressed interest in these drones.
⚡️BIG:🇵🇰 Pakistan purchases Supercam drones from Russia: 🇷🇺media
Supercam S350 can stay in the air for 7 hours & transmit info over long distances
It carries a payload, including a highly efficient optical system and flies at a speed of up to 120 km/h pic.twitter.com/OcOCH3B7x0
— Sputnik India (@Sputnik_India) August 12, 2024
The production capacity has increased significantly, enabling the company to boost serial deliveries both domestically and abroad.
The company said that production volumes have reportedly grown tenfold over the past three years and that it remains poised to expand its export operations further.
Although specific details about the variants supplied to these countries were not disclosed, it has been previously reported that Pakistan acquired an unspecified number of Supercam S-250 mini UAVs from Russia.
This variant of the drone has been used by Pakistan for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) purposes near the Indian borders.
The Supercam S-250 is recognized for its tactical and technical superiority. It can fly for up to three hours in challenging weather conditions while providing high-quality video monitoring.
This enhances its performance for a range of applications, including facility security, mapping, and detecting unauthorized activities.
The US government website has highlighted the Supercam S-250 as one of the top UAVs in its class, underscoring its reliability and effectiveness in various operational contexts.
Supercam Drones In Ukraine War
Russia has significantly increased its deployment of Supercam drones in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. On July 30, Sergey Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, informed President Vladimir Putin about the advances in Supercam UAV technology.
Chemezov pointed out that the Supercam drone was now available in both reconnaissance and kamikaze versions. The production of these drones has been swift, with a new manufacturing facility spanning over 30,000 square meters established in just five months.
Supercam drones are proving their value on the battlefield, especially when used in tandem with howitzers. In the Ukraine war, Russian operators can effectively detect and neutralize Ukrainian firing positions and field depots.
Since early 2023, the Supercam S350 has been a key player in these operations. Distinguished by its larger size, the Supercam S350 features a wingspan of 3.5 meters (11.5 feet), significantly larger than the Orlan-10, which has a wingspan of just over a meter (3.3 feet).
Despite its larger dimensions, the Supercam S350 maintains comparable range and flight duration to that of smaller UAVs.
By the end of 2023, it was estimated that 15-20% of the drones employed by the Russian military in Ukraine were Supercam S350s. These drones are equipped with advanced cameras, video equipment, and thermal imagers that enable them to produce highly precise 3D terrain models and photomaps.
New Generation Supercam Complex Captures Images Faster Than Olympic Photographers
Meanwhile, at the Army-2024 International Military-Technical Forum, Russia unveiled the new generation Supercam S350M, an upgraded version designed to withstand the electronic warfare capabilities of the Ukrainian forces.
Russia claimed that the Supercam S350M can capture and transmit images faster than Olympic photographers. According to the developers, the advanced payload of the Supercam S350M enables it to capture high-definition photos and send them to the control room for automated processing, including the use of machine vision and artificial intelligence algorithms.
This process of transmitting high-resolution images, automatically processing them, and designating targets is completed significantly quicker than the time it takes for news agency photographers to send images from the Olympics, which typically takes 1 to 1.5 minutes, with a record time of 45 seconds.
The developer also emphasized that the new generation of Supercam unmanned aerial vehicles has enhanced convenience and safety for operators.
The forum also showcased the VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) modification of the Supercam S350, known as the Supercam SX350 tiltrotor. This variant’s automatic vertical take-off and landing capabilities make it suitable for deployment in challenging environments such as mountains and forests.
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