In Russia, plans are underway to initiate the production of attack helicopter drones with a weight near 750 kilograms. This development has been reported by DEA News, which cited sources within the military-industrial complex. The announcement signals a push toward more autonomous, heavy-lift unmanned systems that could expand the country’s tactical reconnaissance and strike capabilities. The news reflects a broader trend in defense circles where larger, rotor-driven drones are envisioned to combine endurance with substantial payload options, enabling missions that blend surveillance with targeted engagement.
One of the sources indicated that the Russian Helicopters holding company, a subsidiary of Rostec, may be involved in bringing these shock drones to fruition. The implication is that a major state-backed contractor is coordinating a multidisciplinary effort that spans airframe design, propulsion, sensors, and armament integration. The involvement of a prominent national aerospace enterprise suggests an emphasis on leveraging existing rotorcraft expertise to accelerate development and production timelines.
It was explained that the drones are planned to be built on a tail-rotor configuration, essentially a single-rotor helicopter design. Officials describe the platform as a versatile aircraft capable of performing both reconnaissance and offense, serving in a range of operational roles where speed, altitude reach, and precision matter. The dual-use concept—surveillance coupled with the ability to deliver firepower—positions the drone as a flexible asset for future battlefield scenarios.
According to the sources, the vehicle would be suited to locating and neutralizing enemy personnel, light armored vehicles, and other high-value targets. This suggests an emphasis on precision engagement alongside information gathering, with potential applications extending from border security to theater-level operations. The prospect of integrating real-time intelligence with kinetic systems underscores the push toward more capable unmanned platforms that can operate in contested environments with reduced risk to human operators.
In the basic configuration, the drone would feature a gyro-stabilized optronic system, an aiming system, and six omnidirectional cameras to provide comprehensive situational awareness. The expected payload capacity is up to 200 kilograms, enabling a variety of mission profiles, including sensor suites, precision munitions, or logistical support components. The armament package being discussed includes a tank-variant Kalashnikov machine gun with 550 rounds, eight unguided rockets, and 16 anti-tank bombs, highlighting a blend of direct-fire and explosive options aimed at diverse targets. This combination would require careful integration of fire control, stabilization, and safety systems to ensure reliable performance under combat conditions.
Separately, Vladislav Zanin, an advisor to the general manager of the Underwater Technologies Research and Production Company Okeanos, announced that an underwater glider drone designed for use by the Russian Emergencies Ministry to study objects under radiation conditions is on track for mass production within three to four years. This statement points to parallel efforts across domains where unmanned platforms are being designed for challenging environments, including underwater operations and radiological scenarios. The emphasis appears to be on advancing modular, resilient systems capable of operating across different theaters while maintaining high standards of safety and reliability.