Thread by @sambendett

1/ THREAD: Today, Russia opened its annual ARMY (АРМИЯ 2023) military expo and forum. Will maintain a thread of technologies and systems exhibited and disused there, focusing on drones, UAVs, autonomous and robotic systems, both Russian and international.

2/ Iran, China and India have a large presence at this Forum. There is still a significant Russian interest in Iranian drones, such as Arash.

3/ Putin taped his address to the Forum, highlighting that this year, "80 foreign organizations present their exposition at the forum, there were only 32 year; and Russia's domestic market for products using artificial intelligence is growing."

4/ Pilyugin Research and Production Center for Automation and Instrumentation exhibited a flying wing -type UAV at the Army-2023 forum, with payloads weighing up to 4.5 kg and communication ranges up to 60 km."

5/ The Astron Optical and Mechanical Design Bureau has presented an upgraded UAV400T reconnaissance drone equipped with a system for dropping shaped-charge ammunition. This drone is equipped with a thermal imager. tass.com/defense/1660065

6/ Interestingly, Iran is also exhibiting electronic warfare systems at this forum, signifying a major Russian need for such technology against Ukraine's drones and UAVs.

7/ A large hexarotor UAV for dropping heavy-caliber munitions was presented by Tyumen Higher Military Engineer Command School. These types of drones are used by both sides, and Russians dubbed Ukr. versions "Baba Yaga" - a witch in Russian folklore. t.me/UAVDEV/3300

8/ "TRITON" modular suppression system for protection against FPV drones installed on the T-72B3M tank at the ARMY 2023 forum. t.me/labppsh/750

9/ The Russian military is exhibiting a Tigr-M armored vehicle with extra protection dubbed "Mad Max," featuring additional armor plates. This is an old tactic used by many military and non-military forces for many decades at this point. #ARMY2023 t.me/rian_ru/212083

10/ The OKO Design Bureau - a small start up that manufactures Privet-82 kamikaze drone - is exhibiting a larger Privet-120 "homber" drone with a supposed range of up to 200km and 20kg payload. t.me/kb_oko/86

11/ Putin said that special attention at the #ARMY2023 forum will be devoted to unmanned aerial vehicles.

12/ Dmitry Kuzyakin, Center for Integrated Unmanned Solutions, compared FPV drones to early firearms: “In modern military conflicts, this (FPV) is akin to the appearance of small arms in the Middle Ages - back then, they looked like pipes, gunpowder was made by the shooters themselves. It didn't work right away. And literally a hundred years have passed, and countries that have not mastered these small arms have become historical outsiders."

13/ Kuzyakin is exhibiting his Centers "Joker" FPV drone series - he said that the first combat use for his drone took place on March 10, 2022.

14/ More from Kuzyakin: "FPV drones have a colossal potential - some can even chase and target helicopters. Some FPV drones can take off to a high altitude in mere seconds. Russia maintains parity (with Ukraine) in combat FPV drone use." tvzvezda.ru/news/202381415…

15/ Belarus is exhibiting its Kvadro-1400 heavy quadcopter armed with two RPGs. Apparently, this UAV is now in service with the Belarus military. t.me/uav_tech/19159

16/ Orion-E UCAV at the forum. t.me/xronikabpla/53…

17/ Denis Manturov, Russia's Deputy Prime Minister, head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, at the #ARMY2023: "UAVs, guided missiles, engineering equipment are now most in demand among the troops."

18/ Lynya, one of Russian Telegram bloggers, "reviews" what looks like a Russian quadcopter that costs 160K rubles ($1600) at the #ARMY2023, hinting that it costs three time more than a typical FPV drone should. t.me/Lunay14/10014

19/ Russia's Rosoboronexport says at #ARMY2023 that African nations are most interested in Russian UAVs, drones, EW and small arms. On possible offer are Orlan-10, Orlan-30, KUB and possibly Zala drones, along with a number of portable EW systems.

20/ Russia's Kronshtadt confirms at #ARMY2023 that it tested Sirius long-range UCAV earlier this year.

21/ The Russian MOD at the #ARMY2023: "The forum's program is focused on artificial intelligence tech and diversification of the defense industry, the newest control and intelligence systems, high-accuracy weapons and robotics. Special attention is paid to UAVs."

22/ Governor of Russia's Astrakhan region announced at #ARMY2023 the start of "Lotosnik" FPV drone manufacturing (at 500 drones per month) for the war. This FPV can carry a 3kg warhead.

23/ Rostec announced that its Prometheus software and hardware system that can turn any infantry fighting vehicle, APC or a tank into a remotely controlled robotic vehicle is preparing for the final tests. The current emphasis is on increasing autonomy: "the combat vehicle will be able to move without the participation of the operator along the given coordinates with access to the required point, autonomously determine the best route, bypass obstacles, and quickly process information using technical vision."

24/ Rostec also announced that it is increasing Lancet loitering munition production to meet wartime demand. t.me/uav_tech/19165

25/ Russia's PLAZ Design Bureau exhibited multiple quadcopter and multirotor drones at the #ARMY2023. t.me/uav_tech/19180

26/ A large selection of FPV-type drones at #ARMY2023. and t.me/uav_tech/19221
t.me/uav_tech/19235

27/ More FPV-type drones and a few ISR UAVs on exhibit at #ARMY2023 and t.me/uav_tech/19230
t.me/uav_tech/19235

28/ CUAS systems exhibited at #ARMY2023 t.me/uav_tech/19221

29/ Oduvanchik (Dandelion) ISR drone exhibited at the #ARMY2023 forum t.me/uav_tech/19250

30/ More CUAS rifles at the forum t.me/uav_tech/19260

31/ Clover combat quadcopter and several ISR/combat helicopter drone concepts at the forum. t.me/uav_tech/19268

32/ More FPV drones and different UAV types exhibited at the forum - from Russian Telegram channels. t.me/UAVDEV/3373

33/ A few small UGVs and additional small drone products at the #ARMY2023 forum. and t.me/UAVDEV/3383
t.me/UAVDEV/3353

34/ Russia's Eniks display at the forum, the maker of the Eleron-3 ISR drone and now now T-16 ISR UAV - both are used in Ukraine. Other Eleron models shown that may be flyting in Ukraine as well. t.me/uav_tech/19294

35/ More FPVs and quadcopters on display at the #ARMY2023 - some FPVs like "Granat" shown are specifically designed for carrying an RPG charge. and t.me/uav_tech/19299
t.me/uav_tech/19303

36/ Sukhoi Design Bureau (part of Rostec) is demonstrating a concept for a heavy unmanned combat drone based on the Su-75 design. #ARMY2023 t.me/uav_tech/19313

37/ Uralvagonzavod presented a combat module against maritime drones. t.me/rian_ru/212313

38/ Russia's Suprecam drones on display - these were used by Russian forces in Ukraine. t.me/uav_tech/19275

39/ Russia's RK-700M USV at the #ARMY2023 forum - the USV comes with a number of different modules and sensors.

40/ Russia's PPsh Lab exhibited a modular CUAS/EW system comprising of anti-drone rifle and suppression points. t.me/labppsh/760

41/ The Russian MOD signed a contract for a delivery of Uran-6 demining UGVs.

42/ Rostec's Pulsar research and production enterprise announced at #ARMY2023 that it is developing a small-sized "friend or foe" transponder for unmanned aerial vehicles to minimize friendly fire and EW fratricide.

43/ Russia's "Android Technologies" claims to develop a technology for the Marker combat UGV autonomous movement in fog and smoke, when onboard LIDAR and optics may not be effective.

44/ Potentially significant news for many volunteer organizations in Russia working on combat drones and FPV projects: Kalashnikov intends "to fully support talented drone developers in order to further involve them in the production process," implying assistance to a variety of initiatives.

45/ Russia's "Remdizel" announced at #ARMY2023 that it will improve the autonomy of "Zubilo" (Chisel) unmanned combat vehicle after testing by the military: "the servicemen wish that if the signal is lost while driving, the UGV would stop or return to operators".

46/ Russia's United Aircraft Corporation announced that an initial batch of Okhotnik UCAVs is getting assembled in Novosibirsk.

47/ Russia's "Kotlin-Novator" showcased a small "Veter" (Wind) and a larger X-89 quadcopters that can withstand EW, and apparently feature autonomous navigation. So far, these drones were not delivered to the Russian forces in Ukraine.

48/ Electric helicopter-type drone presented at #ARMY2023 t.me/uav_tech/19407

49/ Russian defense company announced the development of a 23mm controlled detonation ammunition to target small drones.

50/ Rosoboronexport is showcasing an Orlan-30 UAV export version equipped with a laser target designation system for precision-guided munitions like Krasnopol.

51/ Russia's Aeroscan Defense Enterprise has announced a new "Product-54"(«Изделие 54») - a long-range kamikaze drone undergoing testing. t.me/uav_tech/19428

52/ A quadcopter named "Surprise", made of carbon and plastic, is presented at the #ARMY2023. It can apparently carry up to 7kg to a distance of up to 10km and carry two 82mm mines. It can also act as a kamikaze drone to a distance of up to 20km. t.me/rian_ru/212490

53/ A Grom (Thunder) folding quadcopter designed for recon and munitions drop was unveiled at the #Army2023 - it can carry a maximum payload of 4 kg to a distance of up to 12 km.

54/ The "Hornet" ("Шершень" - also dubbed "Flying binoculars") hexacopter at the Army-2023 - it is equipped with a video and a thermal imaging cameras and repeaters. Its range is up to 12km, with a 3kg payload.

55/ Rosoboronexport claims that Kalvesin-1RE deep-water UUV is now offered for export as part of the company's overall export portfolio. The UUV can dive up to 6000 meters deep.

56/ Russia's Triton and PPSh Lab are developing defenses for tanks and armored vehicles against quadcopters and FPV-type drones that work in the 400/800/900/2400 MHz ranges.