The airframe features a normal aerodynamic configuration with a fixed high-mounted central trapezoidal wing and a cruciform tail unit with vertical fins and horizontal stabilizers. A low-noise electric motor drives a pushing two-blade propeller. An optical-electronic system and a warhead are installed in the nose compartment of the UAV.
The loitering munition is launched from a catapult, preparation for launch taking less than 15 minutes. The munition can fly in autonomous and semi-autonomous modes, and can also act as an FPV-drone, the operator controlling it via a control station where he can see in real time the video captured by the on-board camera. Targets search and classification of is provided by the optronic system which includes artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms.
The DELI has a maximum take-off weight of 15 kg and a payload weight of 3.8 kg. No details were provided on the warhead, except that a 4-safety stage fuse is fitted. The target can be attacked at dive angles of 25 and 75 degrees, the weapon being capable of hitting ground targets with a circular error probability (CEP) of 10 metres.
The munition has a cruising speed of 22 m/s, while the maximum speed is 45 m/s; endurance is 45 minutes, the flight range is 50 km, and the control range is 20 km. It can fly at a maximum altitude of 3,500 metres, while typical operational altitude is 150 metres over ground.
It is possible to perform a combat mission using several munitions in the “swarm” flight mode. The DELI “swarm” can make decisions independent from leader, act in coordination within the “swarm”, share tasks and automatically detect, classify, and destroy targets.
Nikolay Novichkov
