R18
R18 drone on exhibition, 2022
Role Unmanned aerial vehicle
National origin  Ukraine
Design group Aerorozvidka
First flight 2017 (2017)
Introduction 2019 (2019)
Primary user Security & Defense Forces of Ukraine

The R18 is a Ukrainian unmanned combat aerial vehicle designed to attack enemy targets with ammunition. It was developed by Ukrainian organization Aerorozvidka. The R18 is in service with the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War, which has been ongoing since 2014.

History

In 2016, Aerorozvidka started a program to develop the prototypes of its unmanned aerial vehicles. In 2019, the model was tested and saw use during a special operation in the ATO zone.[1]

Purpose

The R18 has both military and civilian applications. The octocopter is used for surveillance and search, delivering cargo, or inflicting damage. As of 2022, the last function in Aerorozvidka is called the most relevant because many other drones with cameras can collect information.[1] The complex is designed to destroy enemy equipment, small fortifications, and warehouses with ammunition.[2]

Application

Parts of the R18 drone damaged as a result of shelling in a combat sortie, 2022

Combat use of the R18 started in 2019 during the Russo-Ukrainian War.[3][4][5] They work with the octocopter mainly at night, using the tactics of the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The targets of drone attacks are mostly enemy cannons, tanks,[6][7] armored vehicles,[8] and trucks.[2][9]

On the first day of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, February 24, 2022, one of the combat units prepared equipment and moved to the area of the airfield in Hostomel. Through horizontal communications, representatives of Aerorozvidka began to communicate with those involved in the events. On the first night, an R18 drone was used to inflict damage on paratroopers at the airport.[1]

As of July 2022, 20 crews of R18 drones are working on the front lines of the Russo-Ukrainian War and have neutralized more than 100 units of enemy equipment.[2] In June, Aerorozvidka noted that the R18 is used by the Main Directorate of Intelligence, the Special Operations Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and other structures of the Ministry of Defense; National Guard; Security Service of Ukraine; other units of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine.[10][11]

Characteristics

The R18 is a multirotor type unmanned aerial vehicle. It is an octocopter, that is, a multicopter with eight propellers. Accordingly, the drone has 8 engines. This number of engines provides greater reliability. The drone is capable of vertical takeoff and landing. Both Ukrainian and imported components are used in its construction.[1][12]

Armament

External videos
video icon The Night Raids on YouTube // R18 actions during Russo-Ukrainian War
video icon Cut down the Russian invadors on YouTube // R18 damaging during Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine
video icon Exam on YouTube // Examination of the future R18 crew
video icon Worked against the enemy on YouTube // R18 landing after fly

To use the R18 drone as a bomber, Soviet RKG-3 HEAT grenades are used or RKG-1600 bombs created on their basis by gunsmiths of the Mayak plant (weight of one is 1.6 kg),[5][13][14] both of which are capable of neutralizing lightly armored vehicles with an attack from above. The accuracy of hitting with the RKG-1600 is one square meter from a height of 300 meters.[15][16] The R18 is capable of carrying three such munitions.[3][11][9] It can fly up to 40 sorties without additional maintenance or repair.[2]

Other characteristics

R18 drone landing after a test run, 2020
  • complex deployment time — up to 15 minutes;[3][4]
  • equipping with a thermal imager — yes;[2][9]
  • number of mounts for projectiles — 3 pcs.;[4]
  • total weight — 17 kg;
    • weight without batteries — 6.45 kg;
    • the weight of the battery pair is 5.55 kg;
    • the weight of the thermal imaging suspension — 490 g;
    • useful load capacity — up to 5 kg;[3][4][11][12][17]
  • ammunition drop height — up to 300 m / from 100 to 300 m[4][12]
  • speed — 12 m/s;[18]
  • vertical speed — 2.5 m/s;[18]
  • wind resistance — 10 m/s;
  • ambient temperature range — from -15 to +35 °C;
  • radius of action — 5 km;
  • application distance — 20 km;[18]
  • flight duration — 45 minutes;[18]
  • overall (transport) dimensions — 1200x1200x400 mm;[18]
  • battery type — Li-ion 6s 24v 32500mah x 2.[18]

Training

The training of one R18 drone pilot lasts from two weeks to a month.[2]

Trials

R18 drone launches the RKG-1600 projectile at a proving ground, 2020

In 2020, tests of dropping new RKG-1600 training and simulation ammunition from an R18 octocopter took place during command and staff exercises at the base of the 235th interspecies training center for military units and units ("Shirokiy Lan" training ground).[16] It is noted that this was the first time when an Aerorozvidka attack drone was included in the combined combat training program. During testing, drone operators successfully hit all targets.[19]

Funding

Aerorovizdka independently collects funds from donations for the production of the R18.[2][20]

Assessments

According to Aerorovizdka, a feature of the use of R18 octocopters at the front in the Russian-Ukrainian war, which has been ongoing since 2014, has been high payback. It is noted that with the help of relatively cheap equipment, it is possible to inflict significant losses on the enemy:[21]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 (in Ukrainian) «Нехай гине залізо, а не наші люди». Як українська Аеророзвідка перемагає окупантів у «війні дронів». ShoTam. 22.06.2022
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 (in Ukrainian) «Армія дронів»: як Україна збирається озброїти військо безпілотниками. Deutsche Welle. 14.07.2022
  3. 1 2 3 4 (in Ukrainian) Українська аеророзвідка тестує новий вітчизняний октокоптер R-18 — можливості та особливості. STB. 10.07.2022
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 (in Ukrainian) Октокоптер R18: як український дрон допомагає знищувати ворогів на фронті. Fakty, ICTV. 10.07.2022
  5. 1 2 (in Ukrainian) Помічники «Байракторів». Як працюють на Донбасі наші дрони Skyfist та R18. Delovaya Stolitsa. 16.11.2021
  6. ↑ “Aerorozvidka” demonstrated how they are destroying the tanks with the help of R18 drones. Militarnyi. 15.04.2022
  7. ↑ Fighters of “Aerorozvidka” detachment destroyed the Russian Т-90 “Vladimir” tank. Militarnyi. 11.05.2022
  8. ↑ Ukrainian forces dropped explosives on the Russian equipment from the UAV. Militarnyi. 21.04.2022
  9. 1 2 3 R18 octocopter from Aerorozvidka – Ukrainian drone destroying the enemy. Mezha. 26.04.2022
  10. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Знайшов, підлетів і влупив. Найкращі операції ударного дрона R18 за 4 місяці. Відео. NTA. 16.06.2022
  11. 1 2 3 (in Ukrainian) Військові показали кадри ефективної роботи бойового дрона R18 по техніці окупантів (відео). UNIAN. 16.06.2022
  12. 1 2 3 (in Ukrainian) Український бойовий октокоптер R18 уразив танк ЗС РФ (відео). Focus. 02.08.2022
  13. ↑ How Ukraine Uses Obsolete Soviet Grenades To Destroy Russian Tanks From Above. Radio Liberty. 05.09.2022
  14. ↑ Watch: Ukraine Used Drones to Drop Bombs on 36 Different Tanks. Brent M. Eastwood, 19FortyFive. 23.06.2022
  15. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Аеророзвідка розкрила удари з БПЛА по об’єктах окупантів. Militarnyi. 11.11.2021
  16. 1 2 (in Ukrainian) Нові українські боєприпаси для БПЛА: Завод «Маяк» розкрив деталі (фото). Defense Express. 09.01.2021
  17. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Український бойовий октокоптер R18 уразив танк ЗС РФ (відео). Focus. 27.07.2022
  18. 1 2 3 4 5 6 File:R18 drone characteristic.jpg. Aerorozvidka. 27.05.2022
  19. ↑ (in Ukrainian) Завод «Маяк» та «Аеророзвідка» випробували ударний дрон на навчаннях ЗСУ (фото). Defense Express. 06.01.2021
  20. ↑ (in Ukrainian) «Аеророзвідка» збирає гроші на дрон R18 та розігрує знамениті марки. dev.ua. 05.06.2022
  21. ↑ “One dollar invested in drones causes $1,000 in loses for the enemy”: how Ukraine’s Aerorozvidka works. AIN.UA. 28.07.2022
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