Grusha (drone)

The Grusha drone, developed by Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern, originated from a 2015 initiative to extend the company’s small‑arms expertise into unmanned aerial systems. Early prototypes were tested at the KBFU test range, and by 2018 the platform entered limited serial production for border‑patrol and reconnaissance tasks. Grusha is a fixed‑wing, catapult‑launched aircraft with a wingspan of 2.6 meters and a maximum take‑off weight of 25 kg. Its powerplant is a lightweight gasoline engine coupled to a three‑blade propeller, delivering a cruise speed of 140 km/h and an endurance of up to eight hours. The drone carries a modular payload bay that can accommodate electro‑optical/infrared sensors, a synthetic‑aperture radar, or a small electronic‑warfare suite, and it is equipped with an autonomous flight‑control system that supports waypoint navigation, loiter, and return‑to‑base functions. The significance of Grusha lies in its affordable, rugged design, which makes high‑altitude, long‑range ISR capabilities accessible to regional security forces and civilian operators. Its introduction marked the first time a traditional firearms manufacturer successfully entered the strategic UAV market, influencing the diversification of Russian defence industry production. Today the Grusha is exported to several allied nations and serves as a basis for future upgraded variants with hybrid propulsion.