Russia Exposes a Competitor to the Reaper

31/3/2014 Ami Rojkes Dombe

The "Altius-M" UAV is produced by okb-sokol (Kazan) along with "Transas", and the chief designer is Mr Alyaksandr Gomzin. The development and initial design began in early October 2011, and won the Russian Defense Ministry contest to develop a UAV with a takeoff weight of up to 5 tons (the other bidder was RAC, the Russian manufacturer of the MiG aircraft). The contract for the research and development of the "Altius -M" is worth 28 million dollars (billion rubles).

According to the report, the experimental model should begin flight tests during 2014-2015. The assembly of the UAV will be conducted by CAPO-composites

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According to militaryrussia.ru website, the UAV weighs about 5,000 kg, has a range of 10,000 km and is capable to stay aloft for 48 hours. It will include electro-optical payloads and a radar system. The drone is driven using two RED A03 type diesel. Details about arming of the UAV have not yet been exposed, but it appears that this is a UAV with offensive capabilities