Orda-Pilut, the developer of the new Russian drone "Strelets," announced that the drone, equipped with an automated computer vision system, is capable of hitting five targets in a single mission, and is scheduled to be deployed to the area of special military operations by the end of 2025.
According to the company, the aircraft was recently modified to replace its previous plastic barrels with five metal ones, enabling it to fire in two directions without losing a barrel. The automated targeting system also allows for the automatic detection, tracking, and destruction of targets without continuous operator intervention.
The aircraft has a speed of 120 km/h, a flight range of up to 7 km, and an effective destruction range of between 5 and 15 meters, using 12 mm ammunition, a common type of ammunition used on the front line.
The company confirmed that the aircraft is currently in its final development phase, and will be tested in real-world conditions on the front line by the end of 2025.
The company's experience indicates that the emergence of drones equipped with automated firing and vision systems reflects two main trends in combating small drones:
The shift from traditional means such as jamming devices, nets and missiles to autonomous platforms capable of automatically detecting and destroying targets reduces the number of operators and speeds up the response to massive attacks.
Using common ammunition such as 12mm caliber, to facilitate logistics and maintenance operations on the front line.
Experts point out that the limited destruction range of 5 to 15 meters requires the operator to perform precise maneuvers near the target, which increases the risks to the platform itself. However, if the technical and tactical specifications are confirmed, the Strelets drone could become an effective tool for local air defense.