Belarusian unmanned aerial vehicles were introduced to the market comparatively a short time ago — in 2013 — but they have already earned a good reputation. The UAVs are used by the army, the border service, farmers, and rescue workers. Products made by the enterprise R&D Center for Multifunctional Unmanned Complexes of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (NASB) sell well abroad, too. For instance, a delegation from Ecuador took a close interest in the drones recently. BelTA reporters visited the R&D enterprise to learn where else Belarus-made drones will be used in the future and when the enterprise will start making quadcopters (drones with four rotors).
The enterprise R&D Center for Multifunctional Unmanned Complexes of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus makes six to ten UAVs per year. No drones are put into cold storage since every one of them is made for a specific customer. If necessary, the enterprise can rack up production to 15 drones per year since the manufacturing space and the human resources allow it.
It is remarkable that most of the components used to make the UAVs are made in Belarus. Yuri Yatsyna, Director of the R&D Center for Multifunctional Unmanned Complexes enterprise, pointed out that the enterprise makes more than half of the components in house. This is why apart from selling ready-made drones the enterprise can start making them at premises of potential customers without any problems. Foreign customers use the option quite actively. Manufacturing lines to make Belarusian licensed products have been established in Vietnam and Turkmenistan already. “We are quite flexible in this regard and work with many countries all over the world, which are interested in our products,” noted Yuri Yatsyna.
The list of the countries that buy Belarusian drones grows larger all the time. Ecuador may become one of them very soon. According to Yuri Yatsyna, the Ecuadorian delegation was interested in the unmanned aerial complex Busel with the operational radius of 50-70km. These drones can carry equipment for taking photos and filming videos, including in infrared spectrum. These drones are shoulder-launched and are designed to land using a parachute. These drones are used in Belarus, for instance, by rescue workers for monitoring emergencies.
The Ecuadorian delegation was also interested in an unmanned dirigible designed for environmental monitoring. It can fly as high as 600m and as far as 25-40km away from the flight control station. There are plans to use the dirigibles in Belarusian forestry enterprises and national parks. A number of them have been sold to Russia as one contract. Negotiations are in progress with the administration of the national park Belovezhskaya Pushcha. Alexander Chaichits, Head of the Testing and Technical Support Department of the R&D Center for Multifunctional Unmanned Complexes, explained that unmanned dirigibles can conveniently hover in one spot and monitor the environment in great detail, including in heavily forested areas. The unmanned dirigibles have already been used to film herds of European bisons, wild boars, and other animals in various wildlife sanctuaries of Belarus.
The R&D Center for Multifunctional Unmanned Complexes is busy developing the unmanned aerial complex Burevestnik for the Emergencies Ministry. Such a drone weighs 250kg, is powered by an internal combustion engine, and can fly as far as 300km away from the flight control station. Like a full-sized aircraft this drone needs a proper runway. If necessary, it can land on any comparatively level patch of land. The Burevestnik UAV can be used for monitoring emergencies, including in the areas polluted with radiation after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster and around the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. To do it, the drone needs to be fitted with the necessary radiation monitoring equipment.
Armies of several countries are interested in the Belarus-made drone Burevestnik MB. The drone can be used to deliver strikes on targets or perform recon missions. One complex can include two drones with a combat payload. Apart from keeping an eye on the enemy such a drone can deliver strikes with pinpoint precision. The Belarusian army can also use the drone as a cheap aerial target during air force and air defense training exercises.
This year the enterprise R&D Center for Multifunctional Unmanned Complexes intends to start making quadcopters. The drones will be made for serious purposes instead of entertainment. The Belarusian quadcopters will be able to film in Full HD from as far away as 5-10km. Various ministries and government agencies with the proper licenses will be able to use the quadcopters.
