A Message To Ukraine? Russia Tests 'Predator Drone' Orion In Crimea

Russia has successfully tested a new variant of its Orion unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a 'drone-killer' role to shoot down a target drone during trials in Crimea.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the test proved that the predator-like Orion drone is now capable of engaging other drones in combat, reported The Drive.

In a video released recently by the Russian Ministry of Defence on the state-owned TV channel, the Orion is seen firing a new air-launched version of the 9M113 Kornet anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) against the helicopter drone, serving as the target.

The two drones began around 60 miles apart, and the target was engaged at a distance of around 2.5 miles, the report added.

The Orion UAV has a turret that mounts electro-optical and infrared cameras. There is also a laser target designator to deliver guided weapons against targets on the ground. The footage suggests that a "pilot in the ground control station uses these sensors onboard the drone to initially acquire the target and then command a missile launch."

Interestingly, The Drive quotes Maj. Gen. Alexander Novikov, the head of the Russian General Staff’s Office for UAV Development, who claims the Orion can shoot down the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 and other UAVs.

While the Bayraktar TB2 has been hailed as a "game-changer" in recent conflicts in Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan and Armenia, Ukraine too has been operating it in combat.

For the same reason, many think it is suggestive that the latest missile test took place in Crimea, an area that Moscow seized from Ukraine in 2014. The region also witnessed military actions recently, from amphibious landing drills to anti-ship missile exercises.

The report also added that Russian officials pointing to the ability of Orion to shoot down TB2 drones seems to be intended as a "very clear signal to Ukraine." Besides, it also aims to lure in potential export customers of the Orion.

As for the air-launched Kornet missile, the report quotes unnamed sources which claim the missile has completed “dozens of successful tests” from the prototype Ka-52M attack helicopter. It has a maximum range of 6.2 miles and can destroy both low-flying, low-speed aerial targets as well as armored vehicles.

An earlier report had suggested that a version of the Vikhr-M missile would be tested on the Orion drone, but it’s unclear if those plans have been superseded or if both missiles will be employed from the UAV.