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.
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 Stronger than 19% of UAVs
- Cruise speed
Sustained economical speed. Determines transit time to station.
- 110 km/h Stronger than 25% of UAVs
- Range
Maximum distance: ferry range for aircraft, operational range for vehicles, maximum engagement distance for missiles. Higher means more standoff or persistence.
- 140 km Stronger than 31% of UAVs
- Service ceiling
Maximum operating altitude. Higher gives energy advantage and sensor horizon.
- 5,000 m Stronger than 28% of UAVs
- Endurance
Time on station. Critical for UAVs and patrol platforms — higher means longer persistent coverage.
- 16 h Stronger than 51% of UAVs
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 Stronger than 84% of UAVs
- Operator countries
Number of countries operating the system. More operators means broader support ecosystem.
- 1 Stronger than 15% of UAVs
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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