Quote:
Originally Posted by edslunch
How are they different than the Bayraktar, which was highly effective early on, until it wasn't. Honest question, I'm not seeing the difference, unless it gets around specific prohibitions against use inside Russia.
https://www.defensenews.com/global/e...ne-in-ukraine/ |
This is miles better in every way. Here's an article on it before the war comparing the two.
https://premium.globalsecurity.org/m.../sokil-300.htm
Quote:
The Falcon-300 complex from KB LUCH is designed to conduct reconnaissance and strike at the operational and tactical depth of the enemy. The main characteristics of the drone: payload weight - 300 kg; maximum take-off weight - 1225 kg; the wingspan of the UAV is 14 m, and the length is 8.57 m; maximum speed - 335 km / h; cruising speed - from 150 to 335 km / h; control system - IHS + GPS + terrain map; can be equipped with one of three engines - MS-500V-05C / CE, AI-450T2 and Rotax 91; flight duration - 3-26 h (depending on the engine); design flight range - 1000-3300 km (depending on the engine); armament - guided missiles with a range of up to 10 km. The expected cost of one UAV of the first batch is about 45 million hryvnias, with further reduction by 30-40% due to serial production.
Take the Falcon-300 and try to compare it with the Bayraktar TB2 (the Turk is also a reconnaissance and strike force). The Ukrainian device is bigger, and in some respects even better: the payload of the Bayraktar TB2 is 50 kg (we have 300 kg); maximum takeoff weight - 650 kg ("Falcon" - twice as much); the wingspan of the UAV is 12 m, and the length is 6.5 m; maximum speed - 222 km / h ("Falcon" - 335 km / h); flight duration - 24 hours 34 minutes.
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The Bayraktar TB2s were very effective in hitting advancing columns where Russia didn't bother to use any air defense or EW and decimate smaller targets like tanks. They were lighter / slower drones not suitable for bombing larger or well defended targets (hence why they were used as a distraction again the Moskva instead of a strike force, and have not been used on large target)
300kg payload is very significant. To put it in perspective, a Khinzal cruise missile (Russia's best 'supersonic' missiles) can carry 480kg, and that's a fricking cruise missile. Add to this 50% faster speed, better design and ability to produce in house, and it's a game changer.