In Russia, a competitor of ShahED-136 was created: what is known about the mysterious drone "Product 54"
"The product 54" was announced by Azekscan, headed by the son of the designer of "Lancetes" Alexander Zakharov - Nikita. The family owns 50. 85% of Zala Aero Group shares, which produces the most dangerous Russian drones of Lancet today. According to Forbes, it is unlikely that Nikita's business will compete with his father's business, so the product 54 is not considered as a "Lancet" competitor.
Most likely, in their opinion, "product 54" will complement or compete with Iranian ShahED-136 by increased range. "If this" product 54 "is the drone" Far Radius ", then he probably has to compete more with Shahd-136, but it all depends on the characteristics,"-said Forbes Samuel Bendett, Russian drones and CNA and CNAS advisor .
"It is possible that this new drone will fill the gap between the capabilities of" Lancet "and Shahd-136 with a range of 80-200 km or can be designed for even more range," the expert said. According to Forbes journalists, this announced model is an initiative development of the company. "Product 54" uses the latest artificial intelligence algorithms, and the model is currently undergoing final tests before launching.
Forbes notes that Lanceti uses a Jetson Tx2 processor of American production, which is optimized for neural networks, which provides the capabilities of artificial drones, which is believed to help drone Kamikadze to capture the targets identified by the operator. "Product 54" can use smuggling processors, and the algorithms that connect to the drone camera can detect guidelines and navigate when GPS is mocking and machine training can identify goals without human intervention.
The American edition has already suggested where they can produce "product 54". Most likely, drones will be carried out in Izhevsk on the basis of the Italmas shopping complex. At the end of last year, many foreign brands that left Russia through sanctions refused to rent this shopping center. According to the investigation of local journalists, Nikita Zakharova was purchased by Azekskan.
And in August 2020, his father, Alexander Zakharov, proposed to close shopping centers that trade foreign brands and re -profile them for drones. Forbes notes that a new joke should appear in this connection: "In America, you go to a shopping center for a new drone. In Russia, new drones come from shopping centers for you!" Only these are deadly devices, journalists say. Interestingly, the Zakharov family actively "sat down" for business for the creation and sale of drones for the Russian army.
As mentioned above, the father of the family, Alexander Zakharov, owns a controlling stake in Zala Aero Group (lancet), his son Nikita is managed Zakharova, Maria, also has its own drone production company Orion. For some reason, Nikita Zakharov himself preferred to receive education in the event (studied in Oxford) and has real estate in London. Earlier, Focus said that it would be easier to knock down Russian drones. Ukrainians have improved antitrone guns for the Armed Forces.