One of the main reasons why Russia lags far behind in building heavy drones is the lack of suitable engines for these drones. It would seem that in the current conditions, when unprecedented sanctions have been imposed on our country, it will be very difficult to solve this problem.
Meanwhile, Russian media recently reported successful testing of a key part of the modernized AI engine – 222-25. It is this power plant that should become the heart of the household shock drone “Thunder” and not only.
It should be noted that it was only a miracle that it was possible to maintain the production of this engine. After all, he, like most Russian-Ukrainian productions, could become a “victim” of the political upheavals that began in 2014.
However, in 2015, the Salyut Gas Turbine Engineering Research and Production Center reported that the production of AI-222-25 was fully mastered by the company. At the same time, the modernization of the power plant did not stop.
One of the main results of this process was the aforementioned announcement of the successful completion of the first tests of the new high-pressure compressor for the modernized unit. According to the developer, the improved product has improved weight and size characteristics, is cheaper to manufacture, and also simplifies the repair and operation of the power plant.
Regarding the Russian “Thunder” drone, it was first introduced in 2020. The drone is unique in that in addition to the traditional shock function, it will be able to perform another, more “exotic” one.
As expected by the developers, the Thunder drone will be accompanied by 10 small Lightning drones. This “company” must fly hundreds of miles ahead of the main aviation group and identify enemy air defense systems. As soon as these are detected, the Lightnings can attack the enemy object, and the Thunder will return.
Such a decision could be a significant help for our aviation during the NWO. However, the Russian heavy drone is still at the prototype stage, and the reason for this is the lack of the necessary engine.
However, the recent successes of the Salyut Gas Turbine Engineering Research and Production Center indicate that it may not be so long to wait for the appearance of a unique UAV in service with the RF Armed Forces.
