Russia: Northeastern Forces operate Orlan-10 drones.

The Northeastern Forces of Russia`s Eastern Military District (Vostochniy Voenniy Okrug, VVO) have been refitted with the Orlan-10 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to the Ministry of Defense`s (MoD`s) official newspaper Red Star (Krasnaya Zvezda).

UAV Orlan-10 exhibited at "InterAeroCom 2010", Saint Petersburg, Russia (Picture source: Mike1979 )

"The unmanned aviation squadron of the [Northeastern] task force is armed with the Orlan-10 UAVs. The vehicles adjust fire of naval artillery systems and land units. The squadron also transfers video data to command and control posts in real time mode," said the newspaper, adding that the unmanned aviation unit has trained 26 operators of UAVs.

The Orlan-10 is a catapult-launched tactical reconnaissance drone. It weighs some 18 kg and carries a 4 kg payload. The vehicle is powered by a combustion engine, producing a top speed of 150 km/h, a cruising range of up to 500 km, a ceiling of up to 5,000 m, and an endurance of more than 10 hours. The UAV features a composite hull that reduces its radar signature. According to an officer of the Northeastern Forces` unmanned aviation unit, "[the Orlan-10] is a very reliable, controllable, and easy-to-maintain UAV that features high level of survivability".

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