Micro Drones Enter the Battlefield: Vector-75 Emerges from a Russian OKB
The designers behind the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Industry Experimental Design Bureau (OKB) have announced a compact reconnaissance quadcopter, the Vector-75, which weighs just 21 grams. This claim comes from reporters at TASS who referenced the organization directly.
In discussions about micro devices, many are familiar with the 18-gram Black Hornet, a unit commonly used by NATO paramilitary forces. One of the Vector-75 developers stated that their team has produced a miniature drone capable of covert reconnaissance, named Vector-75.
Official notes describe the Vector-75 as weighing 21 grams, with a combat-flight version at 32 grams. Its operational endurance ranges from four to seven minutes, depending on the payload configuration. This range mirrors the tradeoffs often seen in tiny unmanned systems, where sensor suite and propulsion choices influence both weight and endurance.
The developer suggested that the Vector-75 could eventually replace the Black Hornet in certain contexts, largely due to its lower production cost. A disposable design could be a strategic advantage for mass-field use, enabling units to deploy multiple units without the burden of recovery or repair logistics. This point reflects a core strategic aim: reduce lifecycle cost while maintaining essential capabilities for immediate, tactical information gathering.
As a comparative reference, the Norwegian Black Hornet has been cited at a price near $200,000 per unit (roughly 17 million rubles at current exchange rates). In contrast, the basic production cost of the new Russian micro-intelligence platform is cited around 70,000 rubles. The cost differential underscores a potential shift in how lightweight ISR assets are procured and deployed in fast-moving operations.
According to the developers, the Vector-75 operates with a high level of near-silence, remaining inaudible within a distance of about 15 meters from a person. Real-time video transmission to an operator console or to specialized video glasses is highlighted as a key capability. The low unit price also implies a willingness to risk loss in exchange for rapid, widespread deployment in environments where larger systems would be impractical or too costly.
In early June, experts from the Sakhalin Center for Unmanned Technologies discussed the functional profile of the new Buttercup-Kamikaze aircraft, outlining the specific roles and mission profiles that these micro-air systems can perform. The conversation emphasized how compact, agile drones can extend a unit’s reach in surveillance, reconnaissance, and rapid assessment tasks, especially in challenging terrain or urban settings where larger platforms struggle to operate effectively. The ongoing work suggests a broader assessment of micro-drones in future tactical scenarios, including the balance between performance, cost, and risk tolerance for operators. citations from TASS and institutional statements summarize these perspectives and reflect continuing interest in compact, low-cost ISR assets.
Overall, the Vector-75 project illustrates a growing push toward affordable, disposable unmanned systems that deliver actionable intelligence with minimal footprint. The emphasis on real-time video, near-silent operation, and a favorable cost-to-capability ratio positions micro-drones as a meaningful element in modern reconnaissance strategies. As researchers refine payload options and flight endurance, observers will watch how these platforms integrate with larger networks of sensors and command interfaces in real-world operations. The dialogue around Vector-75 continues to emphasize practical advantages, potential substitutions for established micro-drones, and the evolving economics of disposable unmanned systems.
Notes: all figures cited reflect the information provided by the originating source discussions and institutional briefings. The exact specifications may remain subject to updates as testing progresses and as related design choices are finalized. References to price and performance should be understood as indicative and context-dependent, illustrating relative costs between emerging Russian micro-drones and established Western counterparts. This piece presents a synthesis of reported details and does not include external links; attributions are noted for readers seeking further context.