Gorlitsa AN-BK-1

Antonov's development "Gorlitsa" took off only once, and now nothing is mentioned about the project. In 2016 State Enterprise "Antonov", which is part of the state concern UkrObornoProm , presented its latest development - the newest tactical unmanned attack vehicle AN-BK-1 Gorlitsa [Turtledove in Ukrainian]. According to the press service of the UkrObornoProm concern, the new unmanned aerial vehicle is being developed at the Antonov State Enterprise in cooperation with leading Ukrainian enterprises. This will be the first domestic tactical unmanned complex, which, among other things, can carry weapons of destruction. The range of the drone is about 100 km.

UAV Gorlitsa was created in the interests of the Ground Forces of Ukraine and should become an integral part of the tactical unmanned aerial vehicle complex of the same name, which will include 4 UAVs, a ground control station, as well as a means of ensuring takeoff and landing of unmanned aerial vehicles, their transportation and repair. The complex is designed to conduct aerial reconnaissance using an optical-electronic system, must operate at any time of the day, in simple and difficult weather conditions, transmit intelligence information about the enemy to the command post of the brigade (battalion) to ensure effective actions of mechanized and tank brigades, missile and artillery divisions , Army Aviation Squadrons.

On the air of Espresso.TV, the Deputy General Director of Ukroboronprom Yuriy Pashchenko reported that: “In the coming days we will show the operational-tactical complex Gorlitsa. This is not a shoulder-launched airplane. This is an airfield aircraft, a take-off and landing aircraft that can carry a combat load,” said Pashchenko.

The first demonstration flight with fanfare was carried out on November 8, 2017 in Gostomel, turned out to be a hand-made article, created at Antonov's own funds, equipped with a Japanese commercial control system Futaba, used in aircraft modeling, and other components of the hobby aircraft model class. The texture described in the material speaks for itself about the level of Antonov's unmanned developments: there is no automatic pilot, no weapon control system, no communication from the ground control station, no electro-optical payload either (after a year and a half of R&D). The first flight with reconnaissance equipment of the State Enterprise "Antonov" promises only in the spring of 2018.

"Gorlitsa" is four drones literally stuffed with tracking systems (and optionally - weapons), a ground control station, a launch pad, transportation and repair installations. To service such a complex, 22 people are required. Drones are equipped with tracking systems in order to record and distinguish moving targets from a working altitude of 1800-2400 m, as well as direct high-precision ammunition to the target. For reconnaissance day and night, in any weather, the drones will be equipped with cameras and equipment recording infrared radiation.

With its own weight of a drone of 150 kg, its useful weight is 50 kg. This will make it possible not only to conduct reconnaissance, but also to install strike weapons, which will be controlled by an operator from a ground station.

According to the designers of the Antonov State Enterprise, in cooperation with the Luch Design Bureau, work is underway to equip the complex with special light missiles. However, as of 2020, there is no information on the results of work to improve the UAV.

The manufacturer declares that the Gorlytsya-1 drone is capable of 7-hour continuous flight, work at an altitude of up to 5,000 meters, has a tactical range of up to 150 km and a range of up to 1,050 km. The aircraft is capable of speeds up to 230 km / h and has a payload of up to 50 kg.