Russia is developing a heavy drone that could be used both as reconnaissance and combat aircraft, one of its designers said in an interview Wednesday.
The two ton Avius-1 UAV will bristle with hi-tech gear including an onboard radar and a satellite communications system, Igor Bevzyuk, deputy director of the RTI Holding Company told RIA Novosti news agency.
“This will be a multirole medium-altitude UAV capable of spending up to 35 hours in the air nonstop under any climatic conditions, including the Arctic,” Bevzyuk said, adding that the prototype of the Avius-1 could be ready next year and the first flight was scheduled for 2017.
RTI Plc is an industrial holding company that manufactures over-the-horizon radars, defense, and security systems.
The company also owns research and development infrastructure, implements projects in radio and space technologies, navigation, and microelectronic products.
The company serves industries including aerospace and defense. The company was founded in 2011 and is based in Moscow.
