Specialists of aircraft modeling, radio engineering and programmers joined forces to develop a company-tactical complex called “Domaha” for the needs of the military.

Work on the drone began in 2014. They say it was relevant then, but not as much as it is now.

UNIVERSAL SOLDIER RECOGNITION

“The situation now is that no matter how complex you build it, it still won’t be enough,” says Serhiy Glazunov, general manager of the Charitable Foundation “Slidopyt”.

We meet him and the other “bird” developers in a place where he can be lifted into the sky. The complex consists of two UAVs, if the enemy hits one, the other continues to work.

“Currently, “Domaha” is an intelligence complex. In the future, it may be of the type of effect, but this is a point of view,” say the developers.

No more than 20 minutes for preparation – and the “bird” flew into the sky. Its weight is up to 5 kg. It works with batteries that last for 2-2.5 hours. It flies very quietly, can climb to a height of 3 km, it is impossible to fix it visually. However, its main difference from, for example, unmanned aerial vehicles is that it can fly behind the enemy for 50 km.

“Its purpose is not just to study the enemy’s positions, but to fly away. Arta shoots at 20 – 30 – 40 km. This drone is for aiming and adjusting this particular weapon. After all, to make further adjustments, the artillery (after the first detonation) needs to know where the first bullet is located. He needs to see it fall,” says Serhiy.

The developers call the “Domakha” a small aircraft, because it has quite good aerodynamics and holds one wing.

“The wind affects it, but not as much as the same quadcopter. It can certainly work in the rain (if it’s just rain, not a downpour), but drones can’t.

The drone is equipped with a camera that allows you to transmit a high-quality picture. It is not digital, and this allows you to avoid such moments as “suppressing” radio communication channels during operation. More precisely, enemy electronic warfare (EW) systems can try to “suppress” it, but this is quite difficult, and the “bird” can be brought “home” in manual mode.

“We are currently finalizing some points and are already going through the certification process. We must complete the certification process by the end of the year, and then it can be supplied to the military units. From the new year, he can already work in positions,” says Serhiy.

Recently, the developers presented Domakha to the military. It was tested by representatives of various military units. The reviews were positive, only the military, according to the developers, asks when they can get a drone, because such “eyes” are very necessary at the front.

“They spent a lot of time on this, but now I’m proud because they dreamed of it, there was a great desire,” adds Serhiy.

WAR OF TECHNOLOGIES

“Domaha” is an ancient Kazakh sword. The developers say that as the Cossacks defeat their enemies with their help, the Ukrainian army will destroy the invaders in the same way today.

A military soldier with the call sign “Watson” showed us how the drone actually took to the sky. Watson says that this complex is designed for artillery guidance and reconnaissance, so it can be equipped depending on what task it will be assigned to.

“The men need this complex so they can see where the enemy is. It allows you to get into places infantry reconnaissance can’t pass through. But it’s worth understanding that it’s a consumable, so to speak. Bort won’t live long. If he lives for two weeks, that’s fine. But during these two weeks, many of our sons helps save his life”, – “Watson” explains.

The current war is a technology war, this must be taken into account. The military knows for sure that the EW will try to block anything flying, and therefore pilots need to be trained to manually turn the “birds”.

“If we need to see something up to 10km from enemy positions, drones and helicopters are used for this. Due to the limited run time of 20-30 minutes, they cannot cover longer distances. If you need to find out where the concentration of equipment, infantry, BC is – you need to fly further, this also means longer.And this is exactly the task of “Domakha”, – say the army.

Today such “eyes” on the front are not a “bonus” but a necessity, warning our soldiers and thus saving their lives.

You can make a drone in 2-3 weeks. The military says it is necessary to connect as many people as possible engaged in development and to carry out mass production of drones.

“Those who developed it (especially aircraft modelers) understand that if the device is damaged it needs to be quickly restored, so it is repeatable, it can be done by up to four people. We are currently funding everything ourselves with our own funds, while testing is ongoing and certification is ongoing, but as soon as we get the certificate we have to move to the industrial scale,” says Serhii Glazunov.

The army needs dozens of “birds” – reconnaissance and corrections, and money will be needed for this. BF “Slidopyt” will definitely need donations, but that will be another story.

Olga Kudrya, Zaporizhzhia

Photo: Dmytro Smolienko