Ruselectronics holding, a subdivision of Rostec, has announced the development of a new protective complex named “Chaika.” The claim came in an interview with Sergei Skorykh, General Director of the Research Institute Vector. This update was reported by RIA News in Russia. (Source attribution: Vector Research Institute.)
The Vector Research Institute, part of Ruselectronics, is pursuing an enhanced version of the ORNI ornithological complex. The goal is to extend its capabilities beyond birds to include unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones. The core technology relies on passive radar that does not require frequency authorization and does not interfere with other equipment. Commands that could affect the environment or human health are minimized, aligning with safety and compliance standards. (Source attribution: Vector Research Institute.)
With the Chaika project, researchers will deploy specialized software to identify birds, map their flight direction, altitude, and speed, and create a comprehensive record of external events for later analysis. A key feature is the ability to detect approaching drones and coordinate with various deterrent devices to suppress unauthorized aircraft. Data collected from the situation is streamed to the control center where operators can guide responses, and there is an option for autonomous operation if conditions permit. (Source attribution: Vector Research Institute.)
The ORNI system, already developed by Vector specialists, can monitor avian movements at distances up to 20 kilometers, determine their flight direction, altitude, and velocity, and automatically trigger deterrent measures. These functions are designed to enhance airfield safety while minimizing disruption to routine airport operations. (Source attribution: Vector Research Institute.)
Past incidents have highlighted the risk birds pose to aviation, underscoring the importance of robust bird and drone mitigation systems. The ongoing development of Chaika and the refinements to ORNI reflect a proactive approach to reducing collision risk and ensuring smoother, safer air traffic management for passenger and cargo flights alike. (Source attribution: Vector Research Institute.)