Russia to Develop Domestic Onboard System for Drones

Engineers at Moscow Aviation Institute are building a fully homegrown drone control system to replace unreliable open-source alternatives.

Russia is developing a fully domestic control system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), according to a TASS report citing the press service of the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI).

MAI researchers have launched a project to create a new onboard solution based on Russian-made hardware components, targeting small- and medium-sized drones of various types. The system will serve as an alternative to current open-source platforms, which engineers criticize for lacking rigorous testing, standard compliance, and reliable integration with other systems.

Gleb Boyarsky, lead engineer at MAI’s Avionics Center, stated that the new system is being developed in strict accordance with industry standards. It will feature a full suite of functions—from sensor data processing to flight control and stabilization.

The initiative is part of a national program to advance drone technologies and involves MAI’s departments for systems design and avionics. Aircraft manufacturers are being considered as one of the system’s future clients.

Importantly, the system is designed to work with hybrid drones capable of vertical takeoff and fixed-wing flight modes.

The project is expected to be completed in 2026.