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.
Power & Performance Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Kalashnikov Takhion Mini-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle).
1 x electric motor driving two-bladed propeller unit at the nose. Propulsion
13,123 ft 4,000 m | 2 miles Service Ceiling
Structure The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Kalashnikov Takhion Mini-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle).
0 (UNMANNED) Crew
Armament Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Kalashnikov Takhion (Tachyon) Mini-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) .
None. Payload reserved for optical set.
Variants Notable series variants as part of the Kalashnikov Takhion (Tachyon) family line.
"Takhion" ("Tachyon") - Base Series Name.
Operators Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Kalashnikov Takhion (Tachyon). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.
Total Production: 1,000 Units Contractor(s): Kalashnikov - Russia
[ Russia ]
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Image from official marketing materials.
Going Further... The Kalashnikov Takhion (Tachyon) Mini-UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) appears in the following collections:
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