Rostec's Chirok manned, unmanned drone

The Chirok reconnaissance and combat hovercraft drone which can be operated both in manned and unmanned mode is set to be unveiled at the MAKS 2015 show later this month in Zhukovsky, near Moscow.

The United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC) developed the Chirok UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) after a five year effort, a Rostec press release said yesterday.

The UAV needs only 100 meters to take off from uneven or marshy areas. Chirok is designed to monitor the ground or water surfaces, as well to transport various payloads including cruise missiles. The military will be able to use this drone for reconnaissance and attack purposes.

The Chirok can fly to a height of 6,000 meters, and its flight range is 2,500 kilometers. Its maximum takeoff weight is 700 kilograms and the maximum payload weight is 300 kilograms.

The new drone can operate in both unmanned and manned modes, with the latter option helpful when transporting people to remote areas.

Unmanned aircraft will be one of the key topics at MAKS-2015. In recent years the Russian industry has achieved significant progress in this field. Rostec Corporation’s enterprises and holding companies will present their latest developments for UAVs at the forum.

Ruselectronics holding company will demonstrate its X-band planar active phased array radar, which not only has high performance characteristics but can also be used onboard UAVs due to its unique weight and size parameters.

Specialists from KRET will also continue the discussion about UAVs and drones when they present their avionics equipment designed for unmanned helicopters and airplanes.