MOSCOW, March 6. /TASS/. Specialists in Kazan in the Volga area have engineered an Avatar fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capable of conducting reconnaissance within an operational range of 40 km, the People’s Front told TASS.
"The Avatar drone is an innovation by inventors from Tatarstan. It represents a fixed-wing reconnaissance drone with a wing span of 1.8 meters outfitted with three cameras. One camera is for an operator who controls the drone while the other two are placed under the fuselage: a thermal imaging camera and a 30X Zoom camera. The Avatar can maintain sustainable radio and video communications within a range of up to 40 kilometers," the People’s Front said.
Aviation students studying in Kazan have engineered and are producing the Avatar drone, it specified.
"This aircraft weighs no more than three kilograms and one person can easily launch it from his hands and he can also be its operator, which is the drone’s important feature. An operator switches the drone to its auto launch mode, launches it and places it under his control with the help of a control panel after the UAV climbs to the designated altitude," Avatar team engineer Daniil explained.
For the safety of operators, the antenna with the re-transmitter can be placed at a distance of 50 meters to enable the serviceman to control the drone from a safe range. The Kulibin Club of the People’s Front has helped test the Avatar drone and provide recommendations for its upgrade, the engineer said.
"When the special [military] operation began, many of my friends and relatives went to the front. I am studying in the field of aviation and that is why I have decided that I will share my knowledge and skills and produce an unmanned aircraft system that can save the lives of guys on the front. This is how I can help my country and bring our common victory closer," Daniil said, explaining his motivation.
The Kulibin Club of the People’s Front selects, tests and supports serial production of the best innovations by Russian engineers. This initiative has helped deliver thousands of hi-tech electronic warfare systems to the frontline to counter enemy drones. Russian troops have also received quadcopters, self-propelled robotic carts and other innovative equipment.