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Drones are usually deployed in groups of two or three; the first is used for reconnaissance at a height of 1,000 to 1,500 metres (3,300 to 4,900 ft), the second for electronic warfare and the third as a data relay.[10] One system can include up to five vehicles.[11]
In 2020, a larger Orlan-30 version was introduced, with a laser designator option to increase the effectiveness of other precision weapons.[12]
Production history
More than 1,000 Orlan-10s have been produced (2018), with 11 different variations.[13] More Orlan-10s and 30s were ordered in August 2022.[14]
The price for one system (including 2 drones, a portable launch complex, a control station and a set of spare parts) was reportedly 5 million rubles ($150,000) in 2013.[15]
In 2023, reports stated that components made in Ireland[19] and STMicroelectronics microchips were found in Orlan drones, in spite of the sanctions regime imposed on Russia.[20] On 3 January 2023, CBS News reported that Orlan-10 shot in the past 4 months contained U.S. and Swiss made microchips (Maxim, Microchip and U-Blok) used for their ability to connect to the GLONASS positioning system for navigation. These chips are also able to access the GPS and Galileo systems contributing to redundancy and increase accuracy for flying and targeting.[21]
In July 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated that the supplies of Orlan-10 and -30 drones had surged 53 times since early 2022.[22]
Orlan-30
Orlan-30 at a 2022 trade show
In 2020, a larger Orlan-30 version was introduced, with a laser designator option to increase the effectiveness of other precision weapons, following testing in 2019.[12][23] Its export version was first presented in August 2023.[24]
Operational history
Ukraine
Orlan-10 on the launch catapult
War in Donbass
The Orlan-10 is reportedly being used in the Russo-Ukrainian War. In this conflict aerial reconnaissance by unmanned aerial vehicles is banned by the Minsk agreements.[10] Ukrainian officials have claimed to have had shot down or captured several UAVs of this type since 2014:
In May 2014, Ukrainian officials reported that they had shot down an Orlan-10 in Ukraine.[8][25]
In July 2014, Ukrainian forces shot down two UAVs of this type – No. 10212 near Zelenopillia[26] and No. 10237 near Amvrosiivka.[27]
In August 2014, another Orlan-10 (No. 10215) was shot down by the Ukrainian forces with Strela-10SAM system.[28]
In November 2016, Ukrainian officials stated that they had retrieved an Orlan-10 (No. 10332) drifting on the Azov Sea near Mariupol.[30]
In September 2017, an Orlan-10 (No. 11057) fell down on Ukrainian territory and was captured by Ukrainian forces.[31]
On 28 December 2017, Ukrainian troops shot down another Orlan-10 near Toretsk.[10]
On 10 January 2018, Ukrainian troops shot down another Orlan-10.[32]
On 13 October 2018, an Orlan-10 was shot down by a Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter using gunfire near Lysychansk.[33][34]
On 19 November 2018, an Orlan-10 UAV was shot down by Ukrainian air defense forces.[35] RB-341V Leer-3 electronic warfare systems, which can control up to three Orlan-10 drones, were also spotted in Ukraine by OSCE in 2018 and 2020.[36][37]
2022 invasion of Ukraine
Orlan-10 used during the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
An upgraded strike version of the Orlan-10 able to carry four high-explosive fragmentation projectiles was reportedly used in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[38] According to the Ukrainian Military, at least 85 have been shot down in combat during the war,[39][40][failed verification][when?] including by a UK-supplied Martlet missile.[41] A version called Moskit is used for EW.[42]
In December 2022, Colonel Yurii Solovey, head of air defense for the Ukrainian ground forces, stated his units had destroyed more than 580 Orlan-10s since the invasion began, and the lack of drones affected Russian forces' ability to recon for artillery and counterbattery fire. Alternative drones were employed to fill the Orlan-10's role, but they are difficult to procure due to dependence on components originating from countries that have imposed sanctions.[43] However, in July 2023, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated that the supplies of Orlan-10 and -30 drones had surged 53 times since early 2022.[22]
On 17 October 2023, Andrii Biletskyi, commander of the Ukrainian 3rd Assault Brigade, said that the Orlan was an issue for Ukrainian forces saying: "First and foremost, I am talking about Orlan since it is a big problem for us. This is a problem for many reasons – [these UAVs may be used for – ed.] adjusting of artillery fire, different types of reconnaissance, because they are also radio-electronic reconnaissance complexes. We cannot successfully jam the Orlan UAV. Though it can be definitely shot down with a Strila-10 or, for instance, more complex systems like the TOR anti-aircraft system.
But we face a great deficit of air defence, mainly, frontline air defence. This UAV is a huge problem because sometimes during the day and at night 11 Orlan UAVs may hang in the air space above my brigade."[44]
Syria
The Orlan-10 is being actively used by the Russian Ground Forces in the Syrian Civil War for either reconnaissance, collecting aerial imagery or 3D-mapping in support of humanitarian convoys and S&R operations.[45]
In November 2015, an Orlan-10 located the surviving member of a downed Russian Su-24M2 bomber and facilitated his speedy recovery.[45]
On 10 March 2020, an Orlan-10 drone was shot down by Syrian rebels in Suluk, Raqqa Governorate.[46]
On 9 June 2021, an Orlan-10 killed a prominent HTS member known as Abu Khalid al-Shami.[47]
Belarus
In early February 2022, an Orlan-10 drone crashed near Brest.[48][49]
Romania
On 13 March 2022, an Orlan-10 was found on a field in Bistrița-Năsăud County, Romania. It was initially thought to be a drone owned by a private person in Romania, however it was soon identified as a Russian-made Orlan-10. The investigation is ongoing.[50][51] According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the drone belongs to the Russian army.[52]
The Orlan-10, while not sophisticated, is cheap and simple to operate. It flies too high to be vulnerable to short-range air defences, but is too inexpensive to justify using costly long-range defences. It provides a sufficient view of the battlefield to identify targets.[53]
^"Official Facebook post" (in Ukrainian). Press-centre of Joint Forces Operation of Ukraine. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
