Orlan-10


The Orlan-10 is an unmanned aerial vehicle developed by the Special Technology Center in Saint Petersburg for the Russian Armed Forces. The price of one drone is reportedly between US$87,000 and US$120,000. The drone is usually used in a group of two or three, where the first one is used for reconnaissance in a height of 1–1.5 km, the second one for electronic warfare and the third one as a transponder that transmits intelligence information to the control center. One system can include up to 5 vehicles. More than 1000 Orlan-10's have been produced, with 11 different variations. The Orlan-10 features a composite hull that reduces its radar signature. It has seen action in Ukraine, Syria and Libya. According to media reports, an updated variant of Orlan-10 tactical UAV is to enter service with the Russia's ground forces in 2020. The updated variant is expected to have a laser designator to allow it to pinpoint targets for precision-guided artillery and aircraft munitions.

Operational history

Ukraine

The Orlan-10 is reportedly used in the War in Donbass. In this conflict, aerial reconnaissance by unmanned aerial vehicles is banned by the Minsk agreements. Ukrainian officials have claimed to have had shot down or captured several UAVs of this type since 2014:
RB-341V Leer-3 electronic warfare systems, which can control up to three Orlan-10 drones, were also spotted in Ukraine by OSCE in 2018 and 2020.

Syria

The Orlan-10 is being actively used by the Russian Ground Forces in the Syrian Civil War for either reconnaissance, collecting aerial imagery or 3D-mapping in support of humanitarian convoys and S&R operations.
In November 2015, an Orlan-10 located the surviving member of the downed Russian Su-24M2 bomber and helped for his quick recovery from a rebel-held territory.
On 15 June 2019, a Russian Orlan-10 was shot down by FSA forces over Maraanaz, Aleppo Governorate.

Specifications