The Takhion ("Tachyon" - Faster Than Light) is classified as a "mini-UAV" manufactured by the storied Kalashnikov concern of Russia. It serves the modern Russian Army and has seen operational use in Ukraine in the Donbas Region as well as during the Russian invasion of its neighbor. The aircraft is designed around close ground support in day / night environments and all weather conditions and offers critical "eye-in-the-sky" reconnaissance capabilities through real-time data feeds back to the Ground Control Station (GCS).
The aircraft is of portable dimensions making it relatively easy to ferry to the front lines. It features a flying wing design with a two-bladed propeller unit at the nose and winglets at the ends of the wingtips. Operating range is out to 40 kilometers from the GCS (which relies on an optimal crew of two) while flying at altitudes nearing 4,000 meters.
Beyond providing reconnaissance, this low-altitude aircraft can also be used as an airborne mobile communications relay for ground sources.
The series reached Initial Operating Capability (IOC) during March of 2015, this with the Russian Central Military District located in Siberia. As of this writing (April 2022), Russia is the only known operator of this UAV product.
March 2015 - The Tachyon Mini-UAV series has reached IOC with Russian security forces.
April 2022 - Ukrainian forces showcased imagery of a downed Russian Tachyon drone.
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Close-Air Support (CAS)
Developed to operate in close proximity to active ground elements by way of a broad array of air-to-ground ordnance and munitions options.
✓Special-Mission: Search & Rescue (SAR)
Ability to locate and extract personnel from areas of potential harm or peril (i.e. downed airmen in the sea).
✓Maritime / Navy
Land-based or shipborne capability for operating over-water in various maritime-related roles while supported by allied naval surface elements.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
✓Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.
ALL-ELECTRIC
Design utilizes an all-electric powerplant for drive power.
RUGGED AIRFRAME
Inherent ability of airframe to take considerable damage.
HIGH-ALTITUDE PERFORMANCE
Can reach and operate at higher altitudes than average aircraft of its time.
MARITIME OPERATION
Ability to operate over ocean in addition to surviving the special rigors of the maritime environment.
UNMANNED OPERATION
Design features ability to fly sans pilot, actions controlled onboard through programming and / or ground-based operator.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.
monoplane / mid-mounted / delta, tailless
Monoplane
Design utilizes a single primary wing mainplane; this represent the most popular mainplane arrangement.
Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.
Delta, Tailless
The delta planform lacks a conventional tailplane arrangement with all wing surface area taken up by the delta planform.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the Kalashnikov Takhion production variant)
Installed:
1 x electric motor driving two-bladed propeller unit at the nose.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
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