ENICS Eleron-3
Summary
| Category | Military Drones |
| Origin country | 🇷🇺 Russia |
| Manufacturer | ENICS |
| Year introduced | 2012 |
Technical specifications
| Version: Eleron-3SW | |
|---|---|
| Operational range | 60 km (37 mi) |
| Endurance | 1 hours |
| Maximum speed | 130 km/h (81 mph) |
| Wingspan | 1.5 m (4.8 ft) |
| Length | 0.6 m (2.0 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 4,000 m (13,123 ft) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 5 kg (11 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 1 x electric motor |
All operators
Description
The ENICS Eleron-3 is a Russian reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by ENICS. Originally designed for the civilian sector for applications such as search-and-rescue and pipeline monitoring, the Russian armed forces decided to procure the system in 2012. The military selected the improved Eleron-3SW variant. Between 2013 and 2014, ENICS produced 34 Eleron-3SW units, with production capacity increasing in subsequent years.
The baseline Eleron-3 features a conventional fuselage, delta wings, and a tailplane. The Eleron-3SW uses a blended wing body without a tailplane, which features reduced folded dimensions for transport, lower noise, and improved climb performance. Both variants are launched from a catapult, recovered by parachute, and powered by an electric motor driving a rear pusher propeller. The UAV carries electro-optical and thermal imaging cameras, and can carry modular payloads such as a radio relay or a radio jammer. Operating within a temperature range of -30 to 40 degrees Celsius, it uses GLONASS or GPS for navigation and target location. Ground stations can control up to two drones simultaneously. The aircraft supports three flight programs: autonomous (pre-programmed route under radio silence), automatic (pre-programmed route adjustable during flight), and semi-automatic (real-time heading and altitude inputs from the operator).
The Russian armed forces deployed the Eleron-3 during the conflict in Donbas starting in 2014 and in Syria from 2015. During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the drone was initially used in limited numbers, with deployment increasing later in the conflict. Multiple units have been downed by Ukrainian forces using electronic warfare systems, such as the EDM4S.
Main Variants
- Eleron-3: The baseline model featuring a conventional fuselage, delta wings, a tailplane, a maximum takeoff weight of 4.9 kg, a 90-minute flight duration, and a 0.6 kg payload capacity.
- Eleron-3SW: The improved military variant featuring a blended wing body, digital communications, a 1.47 m wingspan, a 5.3 kg maximum takeoff weight, a 100-minute flight duration, and a 1 kg payload capacity.