An unusual-shaped drone with a closed wing contour was spotted above the front line. The appearance of such a drone was reported by radio equipment specialist Serhiy Flesh, who noted that this is the first time he has seen such a design in real conditions.
An unusual-shaped drone with a closed wing contour was spotted above the front line. The appearance of such a drone was reported by radio equipment specialist Serhiy Flesh, who noted that this is the first time he has seen such a design in real conditions.
As «Military» reports with reference to a post by Sergey Flesh, an unknown UAV has captured a Ukrainian anti-aircraft drone, and its role has not yet been determined: the unit can perform both reconnaissance and strike missions. Subsequent observations have shown footage of a similar product in FPV format, in fact a quadcopter with a circular wing. The name, manufacturer and exact parameters remain unknown. This is probably one of the experimental samples that the Russians are testing without a public presentation.
The annular wing has a closed circuit in which the ends of the wing are connected to each other. The absence of traditional tips reduces the intensity of the end vortices, so the inductive resistance decreases and the aerodynamic efficiency at cruising speeds is partially improved. Additional lift is formed by the flow directed downwards inside the circuit, which is especially noticeable when the angle of attack increases. At the same time, at an excessive angle of attack, the flow collapses, the lift drops sharply and the aircraft may lose controllability, so this scheme requires precise adjustment of the automation and limitations on maneuvers.
For drones, the logic of the ring wing is also attractive due to the rigidity of the structure, which simplifies the integration of the payload and protection of the propellers, and also potentially allows for better «carrying» of optics or warheads at quiet speeds. Among the disadvantages are sensitivity to wind gusts, complexity of manufacture and narrow operating modes, which is why such devices rarely go beyond experiments or showcases. The appearance of a similar shape over the front may mean that the Russians are looking for niche solutions to overcome air defenses or increase the mass of the charge without a significant loss in range.
Experts note that the combination of FPV layout and circular wing creates a hybrid: takeoff and control are possible as in a quadcopter, and the marching section with partial «support» of the lift force of the contour. If the configuration is brought to serial condition, it may complicate interception due to non-standard silhouettes and trajectories, as well as change the acoustic signature, which is important for ground observers and detection systems.
The ring wing concept has been known in aircraft engineering for decades, but practical applications are limited due to the delicate balance between lift gains and stability.
Previously, dev.ua wrote about how the Russian Research and Production Center «NPC BASiRTK» demonstrated the testing of its vertical take-off interceptor drone. It has four engines and resembles an effective Ukrainian drone from the company «Wild Hornets».
