Advantages of Sokil-300 over Bayraktar TB2 – Korosteliov revealed details

State Kyiv Design Bureau “LUCH” takes into account the shortcomings of AUV Bayraktar TB2 when designing its own complex Sokil-300.

«Український мілітарний портал» (Ukrainian military portal, https://mil.in.ua/uk/) tells about the conversation with the head of the enterprise Oleh Korosteliov.

The Ukrainian developer considers the dependence on favorable weather conditions the biggest limitation that affects the work of the Turkish drone. “All unmanned aerial vehicles are aimed at certain conditions, namely to work in the clear sky when it is sunny,” Korostelov said.

He noted that in countries such as Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, Pakistan during the year most days meet such conditions.

“On the contrary, we have 60 sunny days, and during the rest of the days we have either low overcast, or fog, especially in the combat zone, particularly in autumn, winter, spring – these are very difficult weather conditions”, – said the head of “LUCH”.

Under such conditions, thermal imager cannot see through the clouds, and the surface of the earth can be observed from a height only with the help of “special radio detection means, which, like the head on “Neptune”, will scan the surface.”

An advantage is also expected in strike capabilities. As Korostelov noted, the Turkish apparatus cannot use weapons, including bombs, from a height of less than 3,000 m. After all, bombs must be dispersed to hit. “And we have to see through these 3000 m, from that height, that is, there should be no clouds. And there should be no obstacles for thermal imagers or laser channel,” the Ukrainian developer emphasized.

“We are talking about the fact that we are laying missiles in a direct laser channel, which can be fired even at 10 km, but from a low height. From 50 meters, from 30 meters, from 100 meters. And at 10 km such a drone is very difficult to detect”, – summed up Oleh Korosteliov.

The head of “LUCH” noted that the purchase of “Bayraktars” was the right decision to quickly meet the need for reconnaissance and strike drones of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. However, he considers it expedient to develop the Ukrainian simultaneously. He notes that the development and future purchase will cost less than the contract prices for Turkish aircraft that Ukraine has already bought.

Korosteliov predicts that it will take another year to complete the development of Sokil-300 KB.

The domestic percussion unmanned aerial vehicle “Sokil-300” has been developed for the last 1.5 years by the Design Bureau “LUCH”. It is estimated that the cost of one such drone is 45.6 million hryvnias, if production is carried out in series, the price can be reduced by 30-40%.

It is equipped with a domestic optoelectronic station, can use several types of engines, domestic AI-450T2 and MS-500V-05C / SE, as well as foreign – Rotax 914. Depending on the type of engine, its “empty” and “full weight” also differs.

In the version with AI-450T2, these figures are 535/1225 kg, respectively, for MS-500V-05C / CE – 530/1220 kg and for Rotax 914 – 420/1130 kg.

Maximum speed with:

• AI-450T2 – 580 km / h
• MS-500V-05S / SE – 466 km / h
• Rotax 914 – 210 km / h

The complex is controlled from a mobile control point, which is unified with the control point of the missile complex RK-360 MC “Neptune” and is placed on the chassis of the truck, the brand of which is determined by the customer.

The control point is equipped with:

• crew stations for two operators
• communication antennas
• communication equipment
• power plant
• climatic equipment

The development of the UAV takes into account the experience and technical solutions of “Neptune”, among such solutions – autopilot, it is also offered as a means of targeting.