Russian drone manufacturer ZALA has unveiled an artificial intelligence platform designed to guide unmanned aircraft to targets without relying on satellite navigation.
The developer announced the onboard system, named Arsenal, on its Telegram messaging channel, stating that the technology allows drones to strike targets even when satellite connections are unavailable. The hardware and software package is mounted directly on board unmanned aerial vehicles and is fully compatible with every drone model produced by ZALA.
Equipped with a high-performance computer, Arsenal integrates the physical structure of the drone with advanced software algorithms to analyse sensory information in mid-air. The system processes incoming video streams and thermal imaging data directly during flight, eliminating the requirement to maintain a constant data link with ground control stations.
Autonomous target tracking
According to the manufacturer, Arsenal enables aircraft to autonomously locate, classify and track objects using imagery captured by onboard optical cameras and infrared thermal sensors. The platform functions in real time, calculating and displaying the speed, physical dimensions, direction of movement and distance to moving objects.
ZALA stated in its message that alternative navigation systems have also been integrated into the setup. These auxiliary tools allow the unmanned aerial vehicles to determine their geographic position without using satellite systems during both daytime and nighttime operations.
Electronic warfare and Lancet drones
Standard military drones depend heavily on satellite positioning networks to establish flight paths and locate targets, but electronic warfare units regularly jam and spoof radio navigation signals across modern conflict areas. Processing video feeds and computing navigation data directly on the aircraft helps drones bypass signal disruption and reduces the wireless transmissions that opposing forces can trace back to ground operators.
ZALA is best known as the developer of the Lancet series of reconnaissance and strike loitering munitions, which have played a prominent role in Russian military operations. The unveiling of Arsenal follows the company's debut of the Z-61 earlier in November, a fixed-wing reconnaissance drone featuring an aluminium fuselage and dedicated anti-interception protection systems.
