Rosatom successfully tested an ice reconnaissance complex based on an unmanned aerial system (UAS). During the tests, which took place in real conditions of the Far North (~70°N and ~73°E), data of the underlying surface were obtained. The press service of the Aeronext association reported.
“In the summer of 2023 in the water area of the Gulf of Ob passed the second stage of tests of the ice reconnaissance complex based on an unmanned aircraft system. The development of the complex is being carried out by MIPT University within the framework of Rosatom’s cooperation with the STC of environmental monitoring and ecology of the NTI Centre, together with MIPT’s NSP RPS with the participation of industrial partner Irbis Sky Tech LLC and the support of the NTI Foundation,” the association said.
The complex is a UAV of vertical take-off and landing with a hybrid propulsion system (eVTOL), which is equipped with an optoelectronic system, side-scan radar and on-board special calculator. It also includes software for implementing image construction and recognition algorithms.
The tests were realised in two route flights. The hardware-software complex performed photographs in the visible and radar ranges. Under the conditions of the tests it was supposed to take off from the helicopter pad of the nuclear icebreaker of FSUE Atomflot.
As part of the federal project “Development of the Northern Sea Route”, Rosatom is creating an airborne ice reconnaissance complex – one of the elements of the digital environment. A unified platform of digital services, accumulated statistical data and onboard measurement systems will also be part of the complex.
