Russia has reported a significant increase in interest from international buyers for its Supercam series of drones, with exports already reaching several countries, including Belarus and Pakistan. The announcement was made by the Unmanned Systems Group, the developer of the Supercam UAVs, during the ongoing Army-2024 International Military-Technical Forum at the Patriot Convention and Exhibition Centre in Moscow.
The Unmanned Systems Group revealed that the Supercam drones are experiencing high demand not only within Russia but also in former Soviet Union countries such as Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan. The Supercam S150, one of the most sought-after models, has been supplied to the Armed Forces of Belarus. It is currently being used in various military operations, including command exercises and border security, showcasing its versatility and effectiveness.
Designed as a multipurpose platform, the Supercam S150 is equipped to handle tasks such as mapping, patrolling, monitoring, search operations, and surveying large areas. The drone features advanced technologies, including optoelectronic systems, computer vision, and automatic tracking, and is capable of high-precision aerial photography, particularly with the installation of a geodetic-class GNSS receiver. This makes the drone suitable for detailed reconnaissance and surveillance at any time of the day.
Russia has reported a significant increase in interest from international buyers for its Supercam series of drones, with exports already reaching several countries, including Belarus and Pakistan.
In addition to Russia and neighbouring countries, the Supercam drones have also attracted interest from several other nations. The Unmanned Systems Group disclosed that Pakistan, Nigeria, and Angola have expressed interest in these UAVs. To meet the growing demand, the company has significantly increased its production capacity, reportedly growing tenfold over the past three years, and is poised to further expand its export operations.
While specific details about the variants supplied to these countries were not disclosed, it has been reported that Pakistan acquired an unspecified number of Supercam S-250 mini-UAVs from Russia. These drones have been deployed by Pakistan for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions near the Indian border.
The Supercam S-250 is recognised for its tactical and technical superiority, including its ability to fly for up to three hours in challenging weather conditions while providing high-quality video monitoring. This capability enhances its performance in a range of applications, such as facility security, mapping, and detecting unauthorised activities.
Since early 2023, the Supercam S350 has been a key player in these operations. Distinguished by its larger size, the Supercam S350 features a wingspan of 3.5 meters (11.5 feet), significantly larger than the Orlan-10, which has a wingspan of just over a meter (3.3 feet).
Pakistan acquired an unspecified number of Supercam S-250 mini-UAVs from Russia, which have been deployed by Pakistan for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions near the Indian border
Despite its larger dimensions, the Supercam S350 maintains comparable range and flight duration to that of smaller UAVs.
By the end of 2023, it was estimated that 15-20% of the drones employed by the Russian military in Ukraine were Supercam S350s. These drones are equipped with advanced cameras, video equipment, and thermal imagers that enable them to produce highly precise 3D terrain models and photomaps.
Meanwhile, at the Army-2024 International Military-Technical Forum, Russia unveiled the new generation Supercam S350M, an upgraded version designed to withstand the electronic warfare capabilities of the Ukrainian forces.
Russia claimed that the Supercam S350M can capture and transmit images faster than Olympic photographers. According to the developers, the advanced payload of the Supercam S350M enables it to capture high-definition photos and send them to the control room for automated processing, including the use of machine vision and artificial intelligence algorithms.
The Supercam S350M can capture and transmit images faster than Olympic photographers. The advanced payload of the Supercam S350M enables it to capture high-definition photos and send them to the control room for automated processing, including the use of machine vision and artificial intelligence algorithms.
This process of transmitting high-resolution images, automatically processing them, and designating targets is completed significantly quicker, which typically takes 1 to 1.5 minutes, with a record time of 45 seconds.
The developer also emphasised that the new generation of Supercam unmanned aerial vehicles has enhanced convenience and safety for operators.
The forum also showcased the VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) modification of the Supercam S350, known as the Supercam SX350 tiltrotor. This variant’s automatic vertical take-off and landing capabilities make it suitable for deployment in challenging environments such as mountains and forests.
The US government has highlighted the Supercam S-250 as one of the top UAVs in its class, underscoring its reliability and effectiveness in various operational contexts.
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