The work of Orlan-10 (Russian: Орлан-10) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during the exercises of Central Military District (Центральный военный округ) artillery in Kuzbass, Russia. Operators of “Orlan-10” UAV provided accurate strikes of “Grad” multiple launch rocket systems during the exercises in the Kemerovo Region. In real time, they transmitted the coordinates of the targets located at a distance of from 8 to 20 kilometers to the headquarters and recorded their successful strike. With the help of UAV calculations, Central Military District artillery completed more than 20 missions during training. More than 500 military personnel and more than 50 units of military equipment took part in the exercises.
The Orlan-10 is an unmanned aerial vehicle developed by the Special Technological Centre (STC) 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. The Orlan-10 is reportedly used in the War in Donbass. In this conflict, aerial reconnaissance by unmanned aerial vehicle is banned by the Minsk agreements. Ukrainian officials have claimed to have had shot down or captured several UAVs of this type since 2014. 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. 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.
