The Forpost is the IAI Searcher Mk II built under license in Russia by UZGA. After Israel halted component supply, Russia produced a fully indigenous Forpost-R (first flew 2019) adding a strike capability with munitions up to ~40 kg. Used for ISR and strike in Syria and Ukraine.
| Country | Russia |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Fixed-wing |
| Subtype | Tactical ISR/strike UAV (licensed IAI Searcher II) |
| Role | Reconnaissance and strike |
| Russian-made | true |
| Class | Tactical (Class II/III) |
| Classification | Tactical MALE-class ISR/strike UAV |
| Mission | ISR, reconnaissance, surveillance, strike |
| Datalink | Line-of-sight radio datalink |
| Variants | Forpost (licensed Searcher II); Forpost-R; Forpost-RE |
| MTOW (kg) | 500 |
| Operators | Russia |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Length (m) | 5.85 |
| Propulsion | Single piston engine, pusher propeller |
| Range (km) | 400 |
| Wingspan (m) | 8.55 |
| Combat-proven | Yes |
| Export status | Marketed for export (Forpost-RE) |
| Launch method | Runway takeoff |
| Autonomy level | Remotely piloted with autonomous modes |
| Endurance (min) | 1080 |
| Recovery method | Runway landing |
| Year introduced | 2012 |
| Max payload (kg) | 100 |
| Max speed (km/h) | 200 |
| Standard sensors | EO/IR gimbal turret, laser designator (Forpost-R) |
| Production status | In production / in service |
| Combat radius (km) | 250 |
| Notable engagements | Used extensively for ISR and strike in Ukraine; deployed in Syria |
| Service ceiling (m) | 6100 |
| Conflicts deployed in | Syria; Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Airframe / lift type | Fixed-wing |
| Control / autonomy level | RC line-of-sight – VLOS, Semi-autonomous (human-on-the-loop) |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – military | Armed UCAV, ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | ICE – petrol |
| Range / endurance | Medium range (150–650 km) |
| Signature / detectability | RCS – medium, RF-emitting |
| Speed regime | High (150–400 km/h) |
| Strike depth / operational role | Recon-strike complex (ISR + strike paired, e.g. Mavic + FPV, Orlan + Lancet) |
| Threat vector | Surveillance / reconnaissance |
| Weight / class | Class II – Tactical (150–600 kg), FAA >25 kg (Part 137 / waiver) |