Combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicle-Missile "RAVEN"
The combat unmanned aerial vehicle-missile "Raven" is a long-range reconnaissance/assault weapon intended for real-time surveillance, engagement and neutralization of a wide range of mobile and stationary targets, such as tanks and other armored vehicles, command posts, artillery fire positions, personnel, as well as patrol boats and drones.
Raven is currently the only weapon that can be used for the destruction of modern tanks, easy mass launch (up to 18 drones), featuring a long range up to 120 km and a total flight autonomy of 50 minutes.
Conceptually, it belongs to the category of armed systems known in the West as "loitering munition", and it is designed to be launched from a multi-barrel launcher with 18 launch containers mounted on a 4x4 off-road vehicle.
The system allows for the simultaneous launch of up to 18 drone-missiles. The launch time for all 18 drones is within 5 minutes, and the operator can monitor simultaneously up to 3 video channels (3 drone-missiles) of their choice.
The UAV is launched using a small rocket motor. Upon launch, the wings fold into the flight configuration, and the flight continues powered by an electric motor. The UAV is directed on its mission following a pre-programmed flight path on a digital map towards the target zone.
The guidance system is based on a TV seeker, with the UAV connected to the launcher via a radio link. Upon reaching the target area, at a range of up to 100 km, the UAV begins to circle above the expected target zone. Using the radio link, the image from the TV or thermal imaging camera is transmitted from the seeker to the ground control station. The operator can control the camera on the seeker using a joystick to select and lock onto a target. Afterward, the missile autonomously tracks and engages the target.
Upon impact with the target, a combined shaped charge and fragmentation warhead is activated, neutralizing reactive armor on tanks and penetrating 1000 mm of armored steel, while through its fragmentation effect, it neutralizes personnel and other nearby soft targets.
The system is capable of engaging moving targets such as tanks, armored vehicles, self-propelled artillery systems, rocket fire support systems, air defense systems, radars, and more. The UAV flies at a speed of approximately 160 km/h, reaching a range of 100 km in about 40 minutes.
The flight altitude is typically around 500 meters, although the maximum ceiling is about 2000 meters. The UAV is difficult to detect, with a small radar signature, making it hard to shoot down. Also, it is difficult to jam due to the narrow-beam radio data link.
Main Characteristics:
- Effective Warhead: penetrability of 1,000 mm beyond ERA.
- Easy to use: launch platform can be moved in both direction and elevation, featuring 18 launch containers mounted on a 4x4 off-road truck chassis.
- Preparation at the Combat Position:
- 3 minutes to set the position and elevation;
- 15 seconds to launch a single unit from a container;
- Simultaneous TV Links: three
- Number of Drone-Missiles up in the Air:
- Up to 18 drone-missiles in the air simultaneously;
- Launch time for all 18 drone-missiles is up to 5 minutes;
- 3 video channels (i.e. 3 drone-missile) tracked simultaneously by the operator;
- Guidance/Navigation System: Inertial, GPS, GLONASS, and TV/IIR seeker.
- Target Approach Angle: From 15° to 75° (top attack) ;
- Launching method: Launched from a container using a solid-fuel booster motor
- Transport and Packing: The system can be transported to the combat position fully armed and with a full tank. The wings are foldable. Upon launch, the engine starts once the rocket booster is jettisoned.
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