Documents
Russia ZALA Aero Group
Orlan-10
A small catapult-launched reconnaissance and artillery-spotting drone that has become the most widely used unmanned aircraft in the Russian Armed Forces, valued for its low cost, modular payloads and difficult-to-intercept radar signature.
In service since 2010 · 1 operator countries
Compiled from public sources ·primary reference ↗ ·last verified 2026-07-02
150
km/h
140
km range
5,000
m ceiling
Pricing: Estimated system unit cost, disputed public figures
Procurement snapshot
Availability & export
Russian state channel
Rosoboronexport monopoly; Western sanctions exposure and payment/logistics risk for many buyers.
Channel: Rosoboronexport (state)
Fielded & proven
Limited · 1 operator
In service since 2010. Status: active · ~2,000 built.
Lifecycle cost (est.)
No public unit price to model from. Why so few systems publish one →
Interoperability
No standardised NATO calibre / datalink detected in public specs.
Derived guidance from public data, export regime by country of origin, lifecycle from the GAO ~30% acquisition rule. Verify eligibility, pricing and offsets with the manufacturer and your acquisition authority.
Full specifications
Performance
Speed, range, altitude and engagement capability.
| Max speed Maximum level speed. For aircraft this is at optimal altitude; for ground vehicles, top road speed. Higher means faster response and better kinematic performance. | 150 km/h |
|---|---|
| Cruise speed Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station. | 110 km/h |
| Range Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence. | 140 km |
| Service ceiling Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon. | 5,000 m |
| Endurance Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms, higher means longer persistent coverage. | 16 h |
Physical
Dimensions, weight and crew.
| Wingspan Wingtip-to-wingtip span. | 3.1 m |
|---|---|
| Combat weight Fully loaded weight. Lighter eases transport and bridging limits; heavier often means more armor. | 16 kg |
| Crew Personnel required to operate. Fewer reduces exposure; autoloaders trade a loader for mechanical complexity. | 0 |
Propulsion
Engine, power and fuel.
| Propulsion type Turbofan, turboshaft, diesel, gas turbine, solid-fuel rocket, ramjet… | Piston engine, pusher propeller |
|---|
Sensors & avionics
Radar, sensor suite and datalinks.
| Sensors IRST, EO/IR turrets, laser designators, sniper pods, thermal sights. | Electro-optical/infrared gimbal, photogrammetry camera |
|---|
Program
Cost, production scale and operators.
| Units built Total production run. Higher means proven manufacturing, mature logistics and spares availability. | 2,000 |
|---|---|
| Operator countries Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem. | 1 |
Specifications compiled from public ZALA Aero Group and reference sources ↗. Published defense figures are approximations, treat comparisons as directional. Last verified 2026-07-02.
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What is the top speed of the ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10? +
The ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 has a maximum speed of 150 km/h.
What is the range of the ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10? +
The ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 has a maximum range of 140 km.
How much does the ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 weigh? +
The ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 has a combat weight of 16 kg.
How many crew does the ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 require? +
The ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 requires a crew of 0.
What is the ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 used for? +
The ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 is a uav / drone typically used for isr.
How many countries operate the ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10? +
The ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 is operated by 1 countries.
How much does the ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10 cost? +
ZALA Aero Group Orlan-10: Estimated system unit cost, disputed public figures. Defense program costs are rarely fully public and vary by contract and configuration.
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