Ulyanovsk Engineers Develop Stalker Drone for Russian Railways
The next phase of flight tests is scheduled for March 2026.
The Ulyanovsk Instrument Design Bureau is developing an inspection drone called Stalker (KID-1) for Russian Railways. The unmanned aircraft features an impact-resistant protective frame and searchlights for nighttime operations. A thermal imaging camera can be installed at the customer’s request. The drone has a range of up to three kilometers and a flight time of up to 20 minutes, according to Ulyanovsk.Express.
Maxim Azov, deputy general director for civilian product development at the bureau, said the drone’s design was refined after initial trials. Its primary mission will be to monitor infrastructure and conduct search operations in challenging environments. Because the assignment is highly specialized, engineers are training the aircraft to maneuver with precision. The drone is expected to inspect pipelines, bridges, power lines, and debris sites—areas where human presence is either physically impossible or too dangerous.
An Autonomous Stalker
Engineers are now exploring the integration of autopilot capabilities and artificial intelligence.
The next round of flight tests for Stalker is scheduled for March 2026. Trials will take place on the Kuibyshev Railway.
Russian Railways previously began testing a remote right-of-way monitoring system that uses artificial intelligence to detect illegal dumping near tracks. The company is also training robotic dogs under evaluation to understand and execute voice commands.
