Russian security agencies will start procurement of reconnaissance unmanned helicopters Horizon Air S-100 in 2013, a source in defense industry told Interfax on May 14.
According to the interviewee, talks on the future deliveries are currently in progress. "Production is ready, the system has been tested, but orders are being still formed", explained the source.
Apart from federal agencies financed by state budget, representatives of Gazprom also display interest in Horizon Air S-100. Other commercial entities show minor interest in the unmanned helicopter, said the interviewee.
Delivery set of Horizon Air S-100 system will include two unmanned helicopters and ground/ship control station. The system is made by Horizon (Rostov, Russia) jointly with Austrian Schiebel; it is licensed version of Camcopter S-100. The helicopter can be used in any weather conditions, day and night; its weight is 34 kg, operating radius is about 200 km and endurance up to 10 hours.
In the interview to Interfax, the source told about tests of Russian automatic takeoff/landing UAV Dozor-100. According to him, designers of JSC Tranzas are working on multipurpose automated control system in order to apply it in prospective UAV projects.
As for the source, it is planned to finish work on basic modes of the automated system in the coming summer. Arrester system for unmanned aircraft meant to shorten slowdown path will be held in the second half of 2012.
UAV Dozor-100 has maximum take-off weight of 120-130 kg and may lift up to 25 kg cargoes. Endurance of flight is about 8 hours.