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| The Pacer reconnaissance-attack UAV system is being used by Russia in the Ukraine conflict. (Source: Getty) |
This weapon system is currently participating in the military operations of the Russian army in the special military operation in Ukraine, undertaking tasks of searching for and destroying ground targets.
The Pacer UAV is a mobile weapon system comprising a ground control station and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) carrying precision-guided munitions. This weapon system was developed for reconnaissance, detection, and observation of ground targets, as well as for participating in high-precision attacks, particularly air-to-ground weapons.
Experts assess that this modern weapon is truly highly effective in combat, supporting other reconnaissance and attack weapons, and can operate regardless of difficult weather conditions.
The Russian Ministry of Defense first operated this system in special military operations in Ukraine from the beginning of March 2022. Through videos posted online, the Pacer UAV demonstrated its powerful destructive force with high accuracy, inflicting significant damage on ground targets.
Superior technical capabilities
The Pacer UAV system was developed jointly by Transas and Kroshtadt under contract with the Russian military. By 2019, the system had entered the testing phase. A year later, the Russian Ministry of Defense approved the technical designs before officially entering mass production to meet the requirements of the Russian armed forces.
The main component of the complex is the Inokhodets/Orion generation of "killer" UAVs. These are domestically produced UAVs with characteristics of operating at medium altitudes and long flight times, and are among the first weapons capable of attacking targets. The UAVs are built on aerodynamic principles, with a long, slender fuselage, a straight wingspan of approximately 16 meters, and a V-shaped tail to reduce air resistance. The takeoff weight of the UAV can exceed 1 ton.
The UAVs in the Pacer UAV complex can fly at speeds up to 200 km/h thanks to piston engines mounted beneath each propeller. The average flight altitude reaches 7,500m. Engineers have optimized aerodynamic principles and added self-propelled generators to each UAV, increasing operating time to up to 24 hours.
The Pacer UAV system carries a variety of electro-optical devices, a rangefinder capable of operating day and night, and compact radar systems that enable reconnaissance, weapon control, and clear monitoring of the ground situation.
The Pacer UAV system operates under guidance from a ground command station housed within a container chassis. Each station includes workspace for operating engineers, communication facilities, and data processing equipment to coordinate multiple UAVs simultaneously. Operational communication is via a secure radio system, directly connecting the control stations and the UAVs.
Engineers are also developing additional satellite communication capabilities to increase combat range and stabilize communication links.
High accuracy
The Pacer UAV system is capable of carrying a variety of weapons. Therefore, the manufacturer is developing several new types of ammunition, initially specifically for special military operations in Ukraine.
Leaked images online show that the Pacer UAV system uses the X-UAV guided missile. This is a specialized improvement to the anti-tank missile system, which was originally designed exclusively for fighter jets. Thanks to laser guidance and infrared thermal imaging capabilities, this missile can fire over 10 km, quickly identifying and destroying low-speed airborne targets, as well as heavy armored vehicles moving on the ground.
More advanced UAVs are equipped with KAB-20 and KAB-50 guided bombs, weighing tens of kilograms and carrying a large amount of explosive with high destructive power. The bombs are equipped with guidance tools to increase accuracy and extend the range of their destructive power.
According to some reports, Pacer UAVs can also use conventional weapons, meaning they lack guidance or targeting capabilities. The Pacer UAV's payload capacity allows it to carry bombs with wide-area destructive power. In this case, accuracy depends on the UAV's design and the operator's skill.
The Pacer UAV also plays a crucial role in special combat missions, supporting special forces in the Ukrainian battlefield. Thanks to this, Russian engineers and military personnel gain essential experience in practical combat, testing weapons and improving methods and tactics for weaponry.
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