Explore the Pacer UAV complex

Tổ hợp UAV Pacer- 'sát thủ trên chiến trường hiện đại

The Pacer UAV reconnaissance-attack complex used by Russia in the Ukraine conflict. (Source: Getty)

This weapon complex is currently participating in the military operations of the Russian army in the special military operation in Ukraine, undertaking missions to search for and destroy ground targets.

Pacer UAV is a mobile weapon system, consisting of a ground control station and unmanned aerial vehicles - UAVs carrying precision-guided munitions. This weapon is developed to serve reconnaissance missions, detect and observe ground targets as well as participate in high-precision attacks, especially air weapons.

Experts say this modern weapon is highly effective in combat, supporting other reconnaissance and attack weapons and can operate despite difficult weather conditions.

The Russian Ministry of Defense first used the complex in special military operations in Ukraine in early March 2022. Through videos posted online, the Pacer UAV demonstrated its powerful destructive power with high precision, causing significant damage to ground targets.

Superior technical capabilities

The Pacer UAV complex was jointly developed by Transas and Kroshtadt under a contract with the Russian military. By 2019, the complex had entered the testing phase. A year later, the Russian Ministry of Defense approved the technical plans before officially putting it into mass production to meet the requirements of the Russian armed forces.

The main element of the complex is the Inokhodets/Orion generation UAV "killers". This is a group of domestic UAVs with the characteristics of operating at medium altitudes and long flight times, and is one of the first weapons capable of attacking targets. The UAVs are built according to aerodynamic principles, with a long fuselage, a straight wingspan of about 16 m and a V-shaped tail to reduce air resistance. The take-off weight of the UAV can be more than 1 ton.

The UAVs in the Pacer UAV Complex can fly at speeds of up to 200 km/h thanks to piston engines installed under each propeller to create thrust. The average flight altitude is 7,500m. Engineers have optimized the aerodynamic principle and installed self-propelled generators in each UAV, increasing the operating time to up to 24 hours.

The Pacer UAV complex carries many optoelectronic devices, rangefinders that can operate day and night, and compact radar systems that help reconnaissance, control weapons, and monitor the ground situation clearly.

The Pacer UAV complex operates under instructions from a ground command station housed inside a container chassis. Each station includes a workspace for the operating engineers, communications facilities and data processing machinery to coordinate multiple UAVs simultaneously. Communication during operation is via a secure radio system, directly connecting the control stations and the UAV aircraft.

Engineers are also developing satellite communication capabilities to increase combat radius and stabilize communications.

High precision

The Pacer UAV complex is capable of carrying many different types of weapons. Therefore, the manufacturer is developing many new lines of ammunition, initially specifically for special military operations in Ukraine.

Leaked images online show that the Pacer UAV complex uses the X-UAV guided missile. This is a specialized improvement of the anti-tank missile system, which is designed exclusively for fighter jets. Thanks to the laser guidance function and infrared thermal modes, this type of missile can fire more than 10 km, and quickly identify and destroy low-speed airborne objects, as well as heavy armored weapons 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 explosive charge. The bombs are equipped with guidance tools to increase accuracy and extend the range of their destructive power.

According to some reports, the Pacer UAV can also use conventional weapons, that is, without control or guidance capabilities. The payload capacity of the Pacer UAV allows this weapon to carry bombs with a wide range of destructive power. In this case, the accuracy depends on the UAV's structure and the skill of the operator.

Pacer UAVs also play an important role in carrying out special combat missions, supporting special forces fighting on the Ukrainian battlefield. Thanks to that, Russian engineers and military will gain the necessary experience in practical combat, testing weapons and improving methods and tactics for weapons.