Scientists from the Kyiv Institute of Forensic Research (KNDISE) examined the on-board electronics of the Russian Orlan-10 spy drone. The study revealed that the attackers have tracking devices that transmit information about their location.
Similar uses of the device have been found in other Russian unmanned aerial vehicles the company recently acquired for research. Experts note that using this equipment, the invaders could target points where their drones were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses or other anti-UAV equipment.
Drones collect data only when they fly
Director of KNDISE, Oleksandr Ruvin, said that this is a clear signal that the Russians collect information from drones during flight, but that the UAVs are formally creating a registry of tracking points shot down by Ukraine's air defense. The location trackers were not made with electronic components available in the Russian Federation, so they had to be shipped from abroad. They also have a backup power source that sends a signal of their location if they fail (or are shot down).
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The detection device is equipped with a SIM card that, if it fails, transmits its location to a pre-assigned subscriber, which could be the drone pilot or another Russian company coordinating the attacks. The locator itself is an additional device for the drone because when the UAV is operating normally, its pilot can easily check its position on the telemetry devices on its own pilot. An emergency location becomes irreplaceable only if the main communication channel with the device fails.
Is it dangerous?
Ukrainian experts recognize this behavior of the Russians as a potential threat, but it is not known how many unmanned aerial vehicles the invaders can equip with this type of equipment. Especially taking into account the volume of production, since the Russian industry is capable of producing up to 52,000 units per year. Different types of drones.
Locators can be found on many different types of UAVs, but the recently invented Orlan-10 design is used in a variety of ways. It is not only a reconnaissance and surveillance drone, but in the appropriate configuration it can be used to attack human forces and vehicles, as well as conduct electronic warfare. Its range is approximately 100-120 kilometers, and the manufacturer's declared flight time is up to 18 hours.
Mateusz Tomiczek, Virtualna Polska journalist
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