ZALA Aero Group

Last updated
ZALA Aero Group
Industry Aerospace
Founded2003;21 years ago (2003)
Headquarters Izhevsk
Key people
Aleksandr Zakharov
ProductsUnmanned aerial vehicles, Jammers
Parent Kalashnikov Concern
Website zala-aero.com

ZALA Aero Group (also called A-Level Aerosystems) is a Russian company specialising in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) development, located in Izhevsk, Russia. ZALA Aero has provided UAV systems for several sectors of the Russian government, including the Ministry of Defence, and has also won contracts to supply UAVs to foreign countries. [1] [2] [3] The company's in-house design and production projects include a variety of systems related to UAV design, manufacture and operation, including autopilots, airframes, mechanical and pneumatic catapults, launchers, payloads and communication technologies. [4] ZALA Aero is the only Russian company producing unmanned helicopters,[ citation needed ] portable anti-drone EW systems [5] and a VTOL drone. [6] [7]

Contents

Company

The company is a subsidiary of Kalashnikov Concern. [8]

Products

The ZALA 421-06 is an unmanned helicopter.

The ZALA 421-08 and ZALA 421-12 UAV are conventional UAVs.

The ZALA 421-16E5G is an unmanned aircraft outfitted with a hybrid powerplant combining an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. This UAV model is used by the Russian military in Ukraine. One of them was shot down by the Ukrainian military on April 25th, 2023 and recovered two days later in a minefield. [9]

The ZALA 421-24 is Russia's first quadcopter, which the company claims is invulnerable to electronic warfare systems. [10] [11]

The Kub-BLA is a military UAV that can loiter over a combat area for an extended period and allegedly identifies targets using artificial intelligence. It has a 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) wingspan. It is fired from a portable launcher. Its top speed is 130 km/h (81 mph), which it can maintain for 30 minutes. It crashes into its target and detonates a 3 kg (6.6 lb) explosive. [8] The loitering munition system KUB-BLA has successfully passed state tests and is recommended for adoption by the Russian army at the end of 2021. [12]

The ZALA Lancet is a further development of the KUB-BLA. It has two versions: the bigger Lancet-3 and the smaller Lancet-1.

It was reported in September 2023 that ZALA AERO has developed a loitering munition, named Italmas, with roughly 150–200 kilometres (93–124 mi) range allowing deeper penetration into enemy areas than the Lancet. [13] [14] In October 2023, Pravda.ru reported the first combat use of Italmas. [15]

History

ZALA Aero was founded in 2003 by Aleksandr Zakharov, Its first production UAV went to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2006. In addition to providing aircraft for defense and military purposes, the company markets its products to the energy sector, and has contracted with Gazprom to provide UAVs to monitor over 2,000 km of the company's pipeline network. ZALA Aero has worked with Gazprom's Space Systems division to use UAVs to transmit real-time video over satellite channels. [16]

In 2008, the ZALA 421-06 and the ZALA 421-08 completed test-flying and entered operational service. The aircraft were trialled aboard an icebreaker, participating in reconnaissance to assist the ship's work. [16] As of 2021, ZALA 421-08 is used by scientists in the Antarctic. [17] In 2009, ZALA Aero reached an agreement with Turkmenistan's Ministry of Internal Affairs to supply the country with the ZALA 421-12 UAV system. [1]

Unmanned plane ZALA 421-12 ZALA 421-12.jpg
Unmanned plane ZALA 421-12

As of 2019 Russia operated over one thousand ZALA drones. [18] In 2019, ZALA Aero developed an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-borne detection system that employs artificial intelligence (AI) technology to recognise objects. [19]

In 2021, ZALA Aero launched into serial production the ZALA 421-16E5G and developed the ZALA 421-24. [10] [11]

In November 2021, ZALA Aero Group signed a contract with Panamian UAV Latam for a supply of seven UAV systems in 2022–23 on eight local markets of UAV Latam. The company will help with the construction of a UAV training center as well as the preparation of local operations and other technical specialists. [20]

The KUB-BLA UAV was demonstrated in 2019. In March 2022, it was reportedly deployed in the Russo-Ukrainian War. [8] [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Unmanned combat aerial vehicle</span> Unmanned aerial vehicle that is usually armed

An unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), also known as a combat drone, colloquially shortened as drone or battlefield UAV, is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is used for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance and carries aircraft ordnance such as missiles, ATGMs, and/or bombs in hardpoints for drone strikes. These drones are usually under real-time human control, with varying levels of autonomy. Unlike unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance aerial vehicles, UCAVs are used for both drone strikes and battlefield intelligence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of unmanned combat aerial vehicles</span>

The history of unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) is closely tied to the general history of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). While the technology dates back at least as far as the 1940s, common usage in live operations came in the 2000s. UCAVs have now become an important part of modern warfare, including in the Syrian civil war, the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven</span> Family of unmanned reconnaissance aircraft

The AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven is a small hand-launched remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle developed for the United States military, but now adopted by the military forces of many other countries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZALA 421-06</span> Micro air vehicle

The ZALA 421-06 is an unmanned aerial vehicle helicopter designed and produced by Izhevsk-based ZALA Aero. This helicopter was developed in 2007–2008. In June, 2008 ZALA 421-06 was transferred to Russian Ministry of the Interior. This UAV can fly by program and in manual mode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IAI Harop</span> Israeli stealth loitering munition

The IAI Harop is a loitering munition developed by the MBT division of Israel Aerospace Industries. Loitering munitions are designed to loiter above the battlefield and attack targets by crashing into them and exploding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aeronautics Defense Orbiter</span> Reconnaissance UAV

The Orbiter Mini UAV System is a compact and lightweight unmanned aerial vehicle designed for use in military and security applications. It has been used in the Middle East since it was first developed. The system is used for 'Over The Hill' reconnaissance missions, Low Intensity Conflicts and Urban warfare operations as well as any close range ISTAR mission. It is manufactured by the Israeli company Aeronautics Defense Systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma</span> Type of aircraft

The AeroVironment RQ-20 Puma is an American unmanned aircraft system which is small, battery powered, and hand-launched. Its primary mission is surveillance and intelligence gathering using an electro-optical and infrared camera. It is produced by AeroVironment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AeroVironment Switchblade</span> American loitering missile

The AeroVironment Switchblade is a miniature loitering munition designed by AeroVironment and used by several branches of the United States military. Small enough to fit in a backpack, the Switchblade launches from a tube, flies to the target area, and crashes into its target while detonating its explosive warhead. The name Switchblade comes from the way the spring-loaded wings are folded up inside a tube and flip out once released.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orlan-10</span> Russian unmanned aerial vehicle

The Orlan-10 is a reconnaissance, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by the Special Technology Center (STC) in Saint Petersburg for the Russian Armed Forces. The Orlan-10 features a composite fuselage that reduces its radar signature.

The Bayraktar UAV or Bayraktar UCAV is a family of unmanned aerial vehicles designed and manufactured by Turkish company Baykar. The UAVs were developed for the Turkish Armed Forces from 2004 until the present. Some models are designed for surveillance and reconnaissance only, others are capable of tactical ground-strike missions. Baykar is also developing drones to counter other aerial systems. The word bayraktar means flag-bearer in Turkish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loitering munition</span> Type of guided unmanned aerial vehicle

A loitering munition is a kind of aerial weapon with a built-in munition (warhead), which can loiter around the target area until a target is located; it then attacks the target by crashing into it. Loitering munitions enable faster reaction times against hidden targets that emerge for short periods without placing high-value platforms near the target area and also allow more selective targeting as the attack can be changed mid-flight or aborted.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NCSIST Cardinal</span> Family of Taiwanese UAVs

Cardinal is a family of small unmanned aerial vehicles made by the National Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (NCSIST).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kronshtadt Orion</span> Russian unmanned combat aerial vehicle

The Kronshtadt Orion is a family of Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) developed by Kronstadt Group. There are several variants of the drone, both for Russia's domestic and export market.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UVision Air</span> Israeli defence company

UVision Air Ltd. is an Israeli defense technology company established in 2011. It engaged in the development, manufacturing and sales of advance missiles and loitering munition systems for land, air, and naval military forces. The company’s products, called HERO, are designed for targeted attacks against a variety of threats at various ranges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bukovel (counter unmanned aircraft system)</span> Ukrainian Anti-Drone System

The Bukovel-AD is a Ukrainian anti-drone electronic warfare system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ZALA Lancet</span> Russian loitering munition

The ZALA Lancet is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and loitering munition developed by the Russian company ZALA Aero Group for the Russian Armed Forces. It was first unveiled in June 2019 at the ARMY-2019 military expo in Moscow. It is a further development of the ZALA Kub-BLA loitering munition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">HESA Shahed 136</span> Iranian loitering munition

The HESA Shahed 136, or Geran-2 in Russian service, is an Iranian loitering munition in the form of an autonomous pusher-prop drone. It is designed and manufactured by HESA in assocation with Shahed Aviation Industries.

Kub-BLA is a Russian high-precision unmanned aerial vehicle and loitering munition developed by the Russian company ZALA Aero Group.

References

  1. 1 2 "Zala Aero To Deliver UAVs To Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkmenistan". Shephard. 2010-02-06.
  2. ↑ "Russia's ZALA latest drones already in use over Latin America, says UAV Latam spokesman". TASS. 2021-10-30. Archived from the original on 2021-10-30.
  3. ↑ Барражирующие боеприпасы производства ZALA AERO – лидеры в своем классе в России [ZALA AERO loitering munitions - leaders in their class in Russia]. armstrade.org (in Russian). Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (TsAMTO).
  4. ↑ Беспилотные летательные аппараты самолеты, вертолет - купить [Unmanned aerial vehicles aeroplanes, helicopter - buy]. Zala-aero.com (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2023-04-11. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  5. ↑ Средства радиоэлектронной борьбы [Means of electronic warfare]. Zala-aero.com (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2023-03-22. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  6. ↑ "Zala Aero developed a new multipurpose VTOL UAV". www.airrecognition.com. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  7. ↑ "Cutting-edge Russian drone unveiled at MAKS 2021 air show". 2021-07-21.
  8. 1 2 3 Knight, Will (2022-03-18). "Russia's Killer Drone in Ukraine Raises Fears About AI in Warfare". Wired. ISSN   1059-1028.
  9. ↑ "Ukraine's National Guard downs Russian 'invisible' drone". pravda.com.ua. 2023-04-28.
  10. 1 2 "Russia develops world's first light drone with hybrid engine". TASS. 2021-04-15.
  11. 1 2 "Tech firm unveils Russia's first quadcopter invulnerable to electronic warfare systems". TASS. 2021-04-15.
  12. ↑ Комплекс с барражирующими боеприпасами «КУБ-БЛА» рекомендован к принятию на вооружение [The KUB-BLA loitering munition system is recommended for adoption]. armstrade.org (in Russian). Centre for Analysis of World Arms Trade (TsAMTO). 30 August 2022.
  13. ↑ Syngaivska, Sofiia (22 September 2023). "Russia Has Unveiled a New Kamikaze Drone with a 200 km Range, which Is More Dangerous than the Lancet UAV". Defense Express. Kyiv. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  14. ↑ Malyasov, Dylan (21 September 2023). "Russia develops new long-range kamikaze drone". Defence Blog. Retrieved 25 September 2023.
  15. ↑ "Russia uses new Italmas UAVs in Ukraine". Pravda.ru. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 24 October 2023.
  16. 1 2 Беспилотные системы (БПЛА), беспилотные воздушные суда (БВС) [Unmanned Systems (UAS), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)]. zala-aero.com (in Russian). Archived from the original on 2023-04-17. Retrieved 2020-09-09.
  17. ↑ "Russia's ZALA latest drones tested in extreme Antarctic conditions". TASS. 2021-04-15.
  18. ↑ "Kalashnikov creates new anti-drone gun". Airrecognition.com. 2019-07-09. Archived from the original on 2019-07-09.
  19. ↑ "MAKS 2019: Zala Aero develops world's first artificial intelligence identification system". airrecognition.com. 2019-08-28. Archived from the original on 2019-09-07. Retrieved 2020-09-01.
  20. ↑ Компания ZALA Aero поставит семь комплексов беспилотников в Латинскую Америку (in Russian). ТАСС. 2021-11-15.
  21. ↑ "Kasad Battalion of DPR Uses Zala Kub Drone to Destroy Afu Squad in Ugledar". 2022-11-24.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.