Orion
Contents
Description
The Orion is a Russian strike UCAV. It was introduced in Update "Drone Age".
At its introduction, the Orion UCAV is the only drone with multiple types of loadouts to choose from when spawning.
Like all other strike drones, the Orion becomes available in any GRB match BR 9.7 or higher - meaning an 8.7 lineup, in a full uptier, can encounter the Orion and other strike drones.
General info
Flight performance
The Orion has a low top speed. As a propeller-driven UCAV, its climb rate and manoeuvrability are also sub-par. Despite this, it still can carry a devastating loadout of 9M113M-2 or 9M113FM3 missiles.
| Max speed (km/h at 1,000 m) |
Max altitude (metres) |
Turn time (seconds) |
Rate of climb (metres/second) |
Take-off run (metres) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AB | RB | AB | RB | AB | RB | ||
| 220 | 220 | 7500 | 22.0 | 22.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 250 |
Details
| Features | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Combat flaps | Take-off flaps | Landing flaps | Air brakes | Arrestor gear |
| X | X | X | X | X |
| Limits | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wings (km/h) | Gear (km/h) | Flaps (km/h) | Max Static G | |||
| Combat | Take-off | Landing | + | - | ||
| 390 | 450 | N/A | N/A | N/A | ~__ | ~__ |
| Optimal velocities (km/h) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Ailerons | Rudder | Elevators | Radiator |
| < 250 | < 250 | < 250 | >250 |
Survivability and armour
Being a strike drone, the Orion has no amour plating whatsoever. The only saving grace of the Orion is that it is still a relatively small target and hard to spot. Remember that being out of sight means a higher chance of survival.
Armaments
Suspended armament
The Orion can be outfitted with the following ordnance:
- 2 x 9M133M-2 missiles
- 2 x 9M133FM3 missiles
The 9M133M-2 корнет-М (Kornet) is a supersonic tandem charged missile, good for destroying MBTs that players at this battle rating use. It has a good flight speed and decent maneuverability, so you can always hit those sneaky light tanks and SPAAs running around the battlefield.
The 9M113FM3 корнет-M (Kornet) is a supersonic missile with a High Explosive warhead. It penetrates as much as 61 millimeters of armour (doesn't that remind you of Derpy Boi at Rank 1?) The blast is enough to 1-hit most MBTs. You can give most ADATS and PUMA users an extremely bad day. Happy. Hunting!
Usage in battles
The Orion fills a good niche as the "everyman's CAS". It is available to everyone, which can be very beneficial to players who have not researched BR appropriate aircraft or helicopters. You start off by spawning at an altitude of 4000 meters above the battlefield. Your main priority is SPAA. They are usually found stationary at the enemy spawn. Destroying them will not only help your survival, but also enable your fellow helicopter/aircraft pilots to move in and provide better, uninterrupted CAS. If there are no SPAA around, your next target would be enemy tanks that are near/on the capture points. Once you fire both 9M133M-2 or 9M133FM3 missiles, you have three options:
- Loiter over the battlefield and provide reconnaissance: Just because you can no longer use your missiles doesn't mean you can't help your team! Fly around the battlefield and scan the area with your amazing optical camera. Once you spot any enemy vehicles that pose a threat to your team, quickly mark them on the map and tell your teammates using the in-game chat (alternatively if you have any squad mates, you can work with them and point out enemies nearby using the squad marker)
- Land and rearm: Once the two ATGM's are used, reduce your throttle and glide towards the airbase. Once you land, begin any repairs and necessary rearming so you can take off. It should be worth noting that the Orion UCAV suffers from a low speed and a horrid climb rate, making the return to base and return to the battlefield incredibly lengthy. Altitude is also the only saving grace of the Orion, as helicopters/attack aircraft will generally be at lower altitudes and SPAA's will have no trouble sending a very slow target back to the hangar screen. Consequently, fighting at low altitudes should be regarded as a suicide mission.
- Bail out of the vehicle and spawn in a more capable vehicle: While it feels counterintuitive to bail out of a vehicle that cost 750 spawn points, it is the fastest and best way to get you back into the battle. Using the spawn points you gained from the carnage your two Kornet missiles caused, you can get enough to spawn another tank, an attack aircraft, or a helicopter. The advantage of this is that you should have cleared the path for you or other pilots to make some damage, as the SPAA's and anti-air threats are no longer there.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Spawns at altitude (4000 meters)
- Access to two devastating 9M133M-2 or 9M133FM3 missiles
- Exceptional optical camera with 2nd Gen thermals
- Hard to counter by SPAA
- Available for everyone to use
Cons:
- Low maximum speed
- Terrible climb rate
- Access to only two ATGM's for a price higher than most helicopters and attack aircraft (which can carry more ATGM's)
- A large amount of time will be spent going from spawn to the airfield to rearm and back - better off bailing out and spawning another tank, aircraft, or helicopter
- Small launch window.
History
Kronstadt began the development of Orion in 2011 as part of the Russian MoD-funded Inokhodets programme. In 2013–2015, the company revealed the first layout of the Orion. In May 2016, RIA Novosti reported that test flights of the drone had begun.
On 24 August 2021, it was reported that the Russian MoD and Kronshtadt signed a deal for the procurement of 5 combat groups of an upgraded version of Orion, Inokhodets-RU (also known as Sirius). Each group will have several drones; delivery is scheduled for 2023.
The large-scale Russian-Belarusian exercise Zapad in September 2021 included Orion drones.
According to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Orion was tested for strike missions in 2019 in Syria. In 2020, the Russian Defence Ministry received the first batch of Orion drones for trial operation.
By 9 April during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, there was video confirmation of Orion performing six successful strikes on Ukrainian vehicles, however the first combat loss of a drone was reported on 7 April.
See also
External links
| Kronstadt Group | |
|---|---|
| Drones | Orion |
| Strike UCAVs | |
|---|---|
| USA | MQ-1 |
| USSR | Orion |
| China | Wing Loong I |
