"Several dozen Tipchak UAV systems will enter service with the Russian army in the next few years," said Vladimir Verba, general director of the Vega Radio Engineering Corp. "The first system will be delivered by the end of 2008."
The new-generation Tipchak mobile aerial system has been designed for reconnaissance and target designation purposes on the battlefield in any weather conditions.
It operates up to six UAVs launched from a pneumatic catapult. Each UAV has a range of 40 kilometers (25 miles) and can provide targeting for artillery and theater-based ballistic missiles at distances up to 350 km (about 220 miles).
The drone is fitted with infrared and video sensors and has a real-time digital data link for communication with artillery units for laser-guided targeting.
"Our next project is the development of an attack drone based on the current design," Verba said.
