Korsar
Russian medium-weight tactical unmanned aerial vehicle, developed in the early 21st century, used for reconnaissance, strike, and electronic warfare missions.
| Length | 4.2 m (13.8 ft) |
| Wingspan | 6.5 m (21.3 ft) |
| Empty weight | 200 kg (441 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 400 kg (882 lbs) |
| Powerplant | 1 × piston engine |
| Maximum speed | 150 km/h (93 mph) |
| Operational range | 250 km (155 mi) |
| Endurance | 12 hours |
| Service ceiling | 2,000 m (6,562 ft) |
Description
The Luch Korsar is a medium-weight Russian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developed by OKB Luch, a member of Ruselectronics owned by Rostec. Designed to perform reconnaissance, strike, and electronic attack missions for the Russian Ground Forces and Navy, the development program began in 2009, and flight testing commenced in 2015. The Korsar was first publicly displayed on May 9, 2018, during the Moscow Victory Day Parade. In May 2018, Rostec announced that serial production was being established. As of December 2020, the aircraft was undergoing test flights and operational evaluation. Russian Deputy Minister of Defense Yuri Borisov stated that the Russian Ministry of Defense would procure the UAV in quantity.
Design
The aircraft features a twin-boom design with a V-tail empennage and is powered by a single 50-to-70 hp piston engine driving a twin-blade pushing propeller. The Korsar has a length of 4.2 meters, a wingspan of 6.5 meters, an empty weight of 200 kg, and a maximum takeoff weight of 400 kg. It has a maximum speed of 150 km/h, an endurance of 12 hours, and a service ceiling of 2,000 meters. The UAV's operational range was initially 120 to 160 km, with upgrades planned to extend the range to 250 km and integrate electronic warfare systems.
Operational History
Operational deployment includes testing in Syria, where the Korsar targeted rebels, armored vehicles, and infrastructure. In March 2023, TASS reported the UAV's use in Ukraine, with footage of its operations presented at a Russian Ministry of Defense board meeting. Social media photographs indicated that one aircraft was lost in Ukraine on November 9, 2022.
Variants
- Korsar: The standard serial production variant.
- Korsar-M: A seaborne variant developed for the Russian Navy.