Special Technology Centre Orlan-10
Special Technology Centre (STC) · Russia · first flew 2010 · reconnaissance aircraft
The Orlan-10 is a Russian tactical reconnaissance UAV that has seen extensive use by Russian armed forces in multiple conflicts, becoming one of the most widely deployed drones in the Russian inventory.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, straight |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | white composite fuselage with straight high wing |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- small tactical UAV with inverted-V tail and pusher propeller
- white composite fuselage with straight high wing
- launched by hand-catapult, recovered by parachute
A small, white or grey tactical drone about 1.8 m long with a straight high wing and pusher propeller. The V-tail is a useful recognition feature. Distinguishable from the Aerosonde by its larger size and from the Bayraktar TB2 by being far smaller and a pusher rather than a tractor design.
Specifications
- The Special Technology Centre Orlan-10 has a length of 1.8 m (6 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 3.1 m (10 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 150 km/h (93 mph).
- Typical crew: 0 (unmanned).
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed by the Special Technology Centre in St Petersburg, the Orlan-10 entered service around 2010–2013. It gained international prominence during the conflict in eastern Ukraine from 2014 and was heavily used for reconnaissance, artillery correction, and communications relay. During the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, large numbers were deployed and many were captured, providing Western intelligence with detailed technical data.
Variants
The Orlan-30 is a larger, improved derivative. The basic Orlan-10 has appeared in multiple sub-variants with differing sensor and communications fits.
Where you'll see it
Russian Ground Forces and Airborne Forces for tactical reconnaissance and artillery fire correction; also reportedly exported or supplied to Syrian and other allied forces.
Related aircraft
AircraftIQ — the aircraft field guide: 4,893 recognition guides, live overhead identification, works offline.