The growing field of "loitering munitions" - kamikaze-like, disposable unmanned aircraft - has led to an abundance of modern-day options for even the most discerning military buyer. The ST-35 "Silent Thunder" is just one solution in an increasingly crowded field and developed by the engineers of Ukraine-based Athlon-Avia as a reliable, cost-effective over-battlefield product. The system has been actively used in the country's War in Donbas in the east against Russian elements following the invasion of the country in February of 2022.
The ST-35's onboard systems can provide ground operators with real-time information on precise enemy positions and movements. The loitering aspect of this aircraft allows it to remain airborne for extended periods of time searching for, and tracking, unsuspecting targets of opportunity below - even those protected by woods, buildings, light armoring, and out of line-of-sight from traditional weapon solutions. The precise capabilities of loitering munitions enable it to engage targets in deep urban environments or wide-open spaces with equal lethality.
The general shape of the aircraft is centered on a tube-like body form. Wing mainplanes are arranged in an "X" pattern along the midway point and this is repeated through smaller-area planes at the tail. Drive power is electric and consists of six twin-bladed lift-units positioned about a detachable "collar".
The Silent Thunder has a take-off weight of 9.5 kg, installs a warhead of 3.5 kg (FAE, HEAT, and HEF types), and can fly out to a radius of 30 km while operating at altitudes of up to 1,200 meters and cruising at speeds of 140 kmh. The vehicle is launched vertically (VTOL) utilizing its lift-prop network. It is designed to be highly-transportable by ground forces and is carried in its own hard case. Some assembly / preparation is required prior to launching the unit as the fuselage arrives in two pieces and all planes have to be attached.
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(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
✓Ground Attack (Bombing, Strafing)
Ability to conduct aerial bombing of ground targets by way of (but not limited to) guns, bombs, missiles, rockets, and the like.
✓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.
✓Intelligence-Surveillance-Reconnaissance (ISR), Scout
Surveil ground targets / target areas to assess environmental threat levels, enemy strength, or enemy movement.
✓Special Forces
Serving Special Forces / Special Operations elements and missions.
✓Unmanned Capability
Aircraft inherently designed (or later developed) with an unmanned capability to cover a variety of over-battlefield roles.
VERTICAL TAKE-OFF / LANDING (VTOL)
Series has a tactical capability to take-off and / or land vertically, a quality commonly associated with helicopters.
PUSHER-PROP
Design incorporates rear-facing pusher-prop arrangement, a contrast to the more conventional puller-prop layout.
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.
EXTENDED RANGE PERFORMANCE
Capability to travel considerable distances through onboard fuel stores.
UNMANNED OPERATION
Design features ability to fly sans pilot, actions controlled onboard through programming and / or ground-based operator.
AUTONOMOUS OPERATION
Design features autonomous flight operations made possible through onboard artificial intelligence or pre-programming.
CAMERA EQUIPMENT
Payload supports photographic equipment providing still and / or real-time image / video results.
Empty Wgt
7 lb (3 kg)
MTOW
9 lb (4 kg)
Wgt Diff
+2 lb (+1 kg)
(Showcased structural values pertain to the Athlon-Avia ST-35 production variant)
quadruplane / mid-mounted / special
Quadruplane
Design utilizes a quadruple-plane wing arrangement in which four mainplane members are used to generate lift while enhancing turning / agility; a less popular evolution of the biplane / triplane.
Mid-Mounted
Mainplanes are mounted along the midway point of the sides of the fuselage.
Special
Planform relies on a special shape that may be unique to the aircraft or sparingly used in aviaton.
(Structural descriptors pertain to the Athlon-Avia ST-35 production variant)
Installed:
1 x Electric motor driving 6 x Twin-bladed lift-propellers for VTOL take-off and 1 x Twin-bladed propeller unit at the rear of the fuselage for horizontal flight (pusher arrangement).
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the Athlon-Avia ST-35 production variant. Performance specifications showcased above are subject to environmental factors as well as aircraft configuration. Estimates are made when Real Data not available. Compare this aircraft entry against any other in our database or View aircraft by powerplant type)
1 x 7.7lb (3.5 kg) warhead. Variable types supported including high explosive, thermobaric, incendiary, and cumulative.
Supported Types
(Not all ordnance types may be represented in the showcase above)
Hardpoint Mountings: 0
ST-35 "Silent Thunder" - Base Series Designation.
Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective aerial campaigns / operations / aviation periods.
Images Gallery
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Image from official Athlon-Avia marketing materials.
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