Unmanned Platform From Russia Reaches the Stratosphere
The Barrage-1 system is built mainly from domestic components and can change altitude, maneuver and follow a set trajectory.
Russia has conducted the first flight of its unmanned stratospheric platform Barrage-1, the Advanced Research Foundation said. The platform can maneuver, remain within a designated area or follow a predefined trajectory while carrying up to 100 kilograms of payload at altitudes of up to 20 kilometers.
Among its key features is a pneumatic ballast system that allows the platform to adjust altitude in order to use wind currents and move in a chosen direction.
The foundation also said it plans to test a broad range of payloads in the near future, including equipment for non-terrestrial 5G communications.
Moving Toward the Stratosphere
Barrage-1 is built primarily from Russian-made components, including specialized film materials used in its main load-bearing envelope, which enables extended operation in the stratosphere.
Russia has been expanding its unmanned technologies across multiple sectors. Autonomous boats, trams, buses, trucks and tractors are already being developed and deployed. The country is also presenting its technologies abroad. For example, the R-SAVER-1 rescue unmanned boat was recently showcased at the World Defence Show in Saudi Arabia. The vessel can transport up to 600 kilograms of rescue equipment at sea at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour.
