Antonov's Horlytsya tactical UAV prototype is airborne

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World Aviation Defense & Security Industry News - Antonov
 
 
Antonov's Horlytsya tactical UAV prototype is airborne
 
Ukraine's first Horlytsya tactical UAV prototype, developed by the state-own company Antonov, performed its first flight, UkrOboronProm announced on Nov. 8, 2017. "Today, the first flight tests of the Horlytsya tactical UAV, produced by the Antonov state enterprise, have taken place," declared Oleksandr Turchynov, Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine.
     
Antonov new Horlytsya tactical UAV is airborne 640 002Antonov's Horlytsya first prototype making its maiden flight
(Credit: Antonov/UkrOboronProm)
     
"This UAV is capable of staying in flight for 7 hours, operating at a 5 thousand meters altitude, its range of flight is 1000+ kilometers," added Turchynov.

The Horlytsya technical characteristics allow performing various missions, such as reconnaissance, fire coordination, as well as engaging enemy target by using air-to-ground missiles.


According to Oleksandr Turchynov, such UAVs are the future: "As soon as we optimize semistrategic level, the next step is strategic level UAV development ".

According to UkrOboronProm, the Horlytsya is the first domestic UAV platform capable to perform combat tasks.

The UAV was designed to reinforce Ukrainian Ground Forces in conducting day and night reconnaissance under all weather conditions and transmitting the received data to the command post.

Compared with other vehicles, Horlytsya can conduct air reconnaissance longer – not less than 7 hours; its tactical range is 120 km, the practical range is 1,050 km. The Horlytsya UAV is capable of conducting optoelectronic reconnaissance in the visible and infrared ranges. It automatically recognizes, captures and follows moving targets, aiming ammunition.

A Horlytsya system will consist of four drones, a ground control station and facilities for launching and landing aircraft, transportation and repair.

     
Antonov new Horlytsya tactical UAV is airborne 640 001Antonov's Horlytsya first prototype
(Credit: Antonov/UkrOboronProm)