UAV · Heavy MALE/HALE reconnaissance-strike UAV
Altius (Altair)
Russia
The Altius (originally Altair) is a Russian heavy medium-/high-altitude long-endurance UAV developed by the Simonov (Sokol) Design Bureau and transferred to UZGA in 2018. It is a twin-turboprop, satellite-capable strategic ISR and strike platform with a long, troubled development.
| Country | Russia |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Fixed-wing |
| Subtype | Heavy MALE/HALE reconnaissance-strike UAV |
| Role | Strategic ISR / strike |
| Russian-made | true |
| Class | Group 5 (HALE/MALE) |
| Classification | Heavy MALE/HALE UCAV |
| Mission | Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Strike, Communications relay |
| Datalink | Satellite (SATCOM) and radio data link |
| Variants | Altair; Altius-O; Altius-RU; Altius-M |
| MTOW (kg) | 6000 |
| Operators | Russia (testing) |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Length (m) | 11.6 |
| Propulsion | Twin turbo-diesel/turboprop engines (~500 hp class) |
| Range (km) | 3500 |
| Wingspan (m) | 28.5 |
| Combat-proven | No |
| Export status | Restricted |
| Launch method | Runway (conventional takeoff) |
| Autonomy level | Semi-autonomous |
| Endurance (min) | 2880 |
| Recovery method | Runway landing |
| Max payload (kg) | 2000 |
| Max speed (km/h) | 250 |
| Standard sensors | EO/IR gimbal, SAR, SIGINT (planned) |
| Production status | Testing / limited production |
| Notable engagements | Multiple test crashes reported |
| Service ceiling (m) | 14000 |
| Airframe / lift type | Fixed-wing |
| Control / autonomy level | RC line-of-sight – BVLOS, Semi-autonomous (human-on-the-loop) |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | Armed UCAV, Comms relay, ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | ICE – heavy fuel, Turbine / jet |
| Range / endurance | Long endurance (>24 hrs) |
| Signature / detectability | GNSS-dependent, RCS – large, RF-emitting |
| Speed regime | High (150–400 km/h) |
| Strike depth / operational role | Mothership / relay (carrier drone launching FPVs or extending link range), Recon-strike complex (ISR + strike paired, e.g. Mavic + FPV, Orlan + Lancet) |
| Threat vector | Surveillance / reconnaissance |
| Weight / class | Class III – HALE (>600 kg), FAA >25 kg (Part 137 / waiver) |
Review-stage catalogue data — specs corroborated from manufacturer and secondary sources; not for procurement decisions.