RuAviation

Rusel Holding, a subsidiary of Russia’s Rostec State Corporation, has initiated the serial production of its GOEN-60 gyrostabilized electro-optical (EO) payloads. These advanced systems are specifically designed for integration into strike unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Rostec announced that the GOEN-60 operates across both visible and infrared spectra, providing automatic detection, recognition, and tracking of targets through its integrated neural network algorithms.

The GOEN-60 performs critical functions, including spatial orientation, acquisition of both stationary and moving targets, precise measurement of their angular coordinates, and automatic focusing. The system is available in two main configurations: a daytime version equipped with a high-definition television (HDTV) camera, and an all-weather, 24/7 version featuring a high-sensitivity thermal imaging module. Its superior optical sensitivity combined with a two-axis gyrostabilized platform ensures exceptional image stability even during high-speed flight, enabling the clear detection and capture of distant objects.

This device features notably compact dimensions. Its spherical housing measures just 60 mm (approximately 2.36 inches) in diameter, and the unit weighs up to 300 grams (about 10.6 ounces). The system’s continuous power consumption does not exceed 15 W, with brief peak values reaching up to 100 W. This efficient design minimizes the power burden on UAVs and facilitates straightforward integration onto various platforms with differing payload capacities.

“We are developing solutions that enhance the accuracy, reliability, and resilience of drones to external factors,” a Rostec spokesperson stated. “Rusel Holding’s gyrostabilized electro-optical payload is an innovative device. It effectively detects, recognizes, and tracks objects at long ranges and ensures precise target designation for strike drones, even under severe vibration and sudden maneuvers.”

Given the rapid global advancement of strike UAV technology, minimizing reliance on foreign components in surveillance and targeting systems has become a crucial strategic imperative for many nations. In the Russian market, foreign computing platforms such as NVIDIA Jetson (Nano, TX1, TX2, Xavier), ARM-architecture processors, and specialized Intel Movidius NCS neuroprocessors are widely used for video processing and neural network algorithms. While these commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) solutions offer high performance, their larger physical dimensions and higher power consumption often restrict their application on lightweight strike drones where size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints are paramount.

Rusel Holding’s innovative approach integrates the neural network algorithm directly into the GOEN-60 EO payload itself. This architecture ensures autonomous operation with minimal data processing delays. Such a design effectively reduces overall power consumption, decreases the system’s footprint, and maintains high accuracy in target detection and recognition. This makes the GOEN-60 particularly well-suited for integration on strike UAVs with limited onboard resources and stringent SWaP requirements.