ZALA T-16 and a combat helicopter: joint operation against a maritime target on Sakhalin
Naval exercises were held on Sakhalin, during which the coordination between unmanned and manned aircraft was practised. Crews from «Aurora-BAS» launched the ZALA T-16 UAV, whilst a law enforcement helicopter simultaneously moved into the mission area. This coordination allows the reconnaissance capabilities of the ZALA UAV to be combined with the helicopter’s strike power, significantly increasing the effectiveness of target engagement.
The ZALA T-16, equipped with an on-board artificial intelligence system, was the first to detect a simulated maritime threat, identify it and transmit the data in real time via a secure channel to the command post. Upon receiving the coordinates, the helicopter crew struck and destroyed the simulated target. The entire process – from take-off to impact – was monitored in real time from aboard the ZALA T-16, confirming the destruction of the target.
The objective of the independent assessment has been fully achieved. The exercises confirmed that the integration of ZALA unmanned systems with manned aircraft significantly speeds up the «detection–strike» cycle and enhances crew safety.
Russian 
English