Latest drone technology showcased in Russia
The Russian Far East has hosted a major annual event dedicated to the civilian applications of drone technology. ‘Archipelago 2024’ included numerous competitions, as well as large-scale drills simulating various scenarios for using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
According to the organizers, over 3,500 participants came to Sakhalin Region to join the event, which featured more than 30 types of Russian-made drones. UAVs have multiple civilian applications, and the technology has experienced a boom in the country in recent years. This year’s exercises allowed the participants to test drones in fields ranging from agriculture to disaster monitoring.
The event also showcased and tested sky control technologies that track, detect and classify drones and other small objects that go unnoticed by conventional radar systems, as well as control and monitor the situation on the ground. Over 3,000 drone sorties were performed at a military airfield on Sakhalin Island, according to the organizers.
Russian regional authorities submitted a total of 50 sky control scenarios and marked 15 of them as “priority.” A total of 30 teams showcased their skills in drone operation monitoring scenarios such as illegal dumping, construction sites, and cadastral surveying.
Other drone application scenarios included cargo delivery, monitoring bodies of water and searches for missing persons. The event also covered the use of drones at sea for tasks such as locating sunken objects, environmental monitoring, search and rescue operations, and providing security.
The goal of ‘Archipelago 2024’ is to create a qualified customer for the practical and cost-effective use of civilian drones, according to the organizers.
