ZALA Aero's ARCTIC-series unmanned aircraft system designed for extreme cold. Resistant to frost down to ~-50 C and wind up to 20 m/s, independent of satellite navigation, capable of landing on a ship or water. Used by Russia's Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute.
| Country | Russia |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Fixed-wing |
| Subtype | Cold-weather (Arctic) UAV |
| Role | monitoring/reconnaissance |
| Russian-made | true |
| Class | Small/Tactical |
| Classification | Cold-weather fixed-wing UAV |
| Mission | ice reconnaissance, monitoring, surveillance, scientific survey |
| Datalink | BLOS / inertial (satnav-independent capable) |
| Variants | ZALA Z-16 Arctic, ZALA T-16 |
| Operators | Russia |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Propulsion | electric/combustion |
| Launch method | catapult |
| Autonomy level | semi-autonomous |
| Recovery method | parachute, ship/water landing |
| Standard sensors | EO/IR camera |
| Production status | in service |
| Notable engagements | Operated to ~-42 C; intercontinental control test in Antarctica |
| 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 – civil | Survey / mapping |
| Mission / use case – military | ISR |
| Origin / supply chain | Military-grade |
| Propulsion | Electric (LiPo / Li-ion), ICE – petrol |
| Signature / detectability | GNSS-denied capable |
| Threat vector | Surveillance / reconnaissance |
| Weight / class | Class I – Small (20–150 kg) |