News of science and technology around the world

At the international forum "Drone Expo 2025", footage of the first Russian heavy fire drone KVV-1, developed by the concern "Radioelectronic Technologies", was published. The KVV-1 drone weighs 85 kg and is capable of carrying the same payload. The drone is connected to a fire engine through a hose and delivers water or a mixture to a height of up to 150 meters. The drone's operating time is up to 25 minutes from batteries or up to 72 hours when connected to a power source via a cable. Serial production of drones is planned to begin in 2026.

 
In Kazan, the fully import-substituted multipurpose Russian helicopter "Ansat" with Russian engines VK-650V took to the skies for the first time. The Ansat helicopter successfully completed its first flight, about 6 minutes, at a low altitude. The crew assessed the stability and controllability of the helicopter. The operability of the equipment and main systems was also checked. The VK-650V engine allows the Ansat helicopter to fly without refueling for a distance of up to 660 km, and with an additional fuel tank - up to 800 km. Technical information about the VK-650V

 
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Testing of the Il-114-300 regional passenger jet continues in Russia. Test flights are currently taking place in the Altai Republic at the Gorno-Altaisk Airport. It has been announced that one of the Il-114-300 prototypes has completed a series of international flights with a stopover at Krayniy Airport in Baikonur.
Testing in Altai allows for the evaluation of the maximum number of modes across several certification programs. Currently, the aircraft is being tested for navigation modes, primarily those related to flights in mountainous terrain, as well as for international flights and its operational capabilities at non-base and transit airfields.

 
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The previously reported Russian multirole aircraft LMS-901 "Baikal" completed its maiden flight with a Russian-made VK-800SM engine and propeller. The LMS-901 "Baikal" is designed to replace the aging An-2 aircraft. The AV-901 propeller is equipped with a digital control system synchronized with the engine, ensuring maximum efficiency and fuel effectiveness. The VK-800 engine, with a power output of up to 870 hp, outperforms foreign counterparts in weight and fuel economy. Previously, a Czech engine was planned for the aircraft. The aircraft is adapted to harsh climates, allowing it to be used in the Arctic and Siberia. The VK-800SM engine has potential for modernization and can also be used on the L-410 and An-2 aircraft. The aircraft's cruising speed is up to 300 km/h. Its maximum range can reach 3,000 km, and with a payload of 2 tons, 1,500 km. The plane can carry up to 9 people.

 
Rostec announced that the new M105 piston engine for light aircraft has been developed in Russia. The United Engine Corporation (UEC) was responsible for the development of the M105 engine. The M105 engine is designed for light commercial aircraft, helicopters, and possibly heavy drones. It can be used to drive electric generators, pusher or tractor propellers, and to transmit the generated thrust. The M105 engine has the following specifications: 115 horsepower, a displacement of 1,211 cm³, and a piston stroke of 61 mm. Among the advantages of the M105 engine are its performance characteristics. The full specified service life is 2,000 hours, the time between overhauls is 750 hours, and the service life is 10 years. The engine is quite compact and weighs 75 kg.

 
Kazan Helicopters delivered four Mi-38PS helicopters to the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations. The Mi-38PS search and rescue helicopter is designed for operations in the Arctic at temperatures down to -60°C. The Mi-38PS automatically checks all of its onboard systems, requiring the pilot to press only one button. The Mi-38PS significantly outperforms the Mi-8 in range, speed, and payload. With additional fuel tanks, it can fly up to 1,500 kilometers. The helicopter is equipped with a water discharge device and a suspended sprayer for extinguishing fires and eliminating oil spills. It also has a module with medical equipment and search and rescue equipment, including a radio beacon and a winch for evacuation. The Mi-38PS has a maximum takeoff weight of 16.5 tons and is capable of carrying up to 4.5 tons of cargo inside the cabin and 5 tons on an external sling, lifting up to 40 people, and reaching speeds of up to 300 kilometers per hour. The helicopter has a crew of two.

 
Unmanned Russian KAMAZ-65119 dump trucks have begun testing at the Karansky granite quarry. Testing of unmanned KAMAZ-54901 long-haul trucks had previously begun; these trucks have been transporting cargo from St. Petersburg to Moscow for several years. The KAMAZ-65119 is equipped with advanced navigation and control systems designed to optimize logistics in mining operations. Current testing will evaluate the system's reliability in challenging geological conditions, with an emphasis on task accuracy and integration with the quarry's existing infrastructure. The KAMAZ 65119 is a versatile dump truck designed for transporting bulk and construction materials. The truck features a robust design, a fuel-efficient engine, and advanced safety systems. Detailed specifications are shown on the screen. The KAMAZ-65119 is equipped with a 340-horsepower engine and a ZF robotized 9-speed transmission. Dump truck carrying capacity: 17-19 tons.

 
Icing tests for Russian MS-21, SSJ-100, and Il-114 aircraft. Specialists from Russia's United Aircraft Corporation have completed a program of additional certification flight tests for the MS-21, Superjet 100, and Il-114-300 aircraft in natural icing conditions in the Arkhangelsk region. The aircraft flew in low temperatures and icing conditions.
Based on meteorological data, the crew searched for cloud cover, then entered it and, using specialized equipment, monitored for ice formation on the aircraft surfaces. Certification of the Russian SSJ-100, Il-114-300, and MS-21 aircraft is scheduled to be completed this year.

 
On April 30 at 9:00 PM, the new Russian medium-class launch vehicle, the Soyuz-5, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Developed in partnership with Kazakhstan as part of the Baiterek project, the Soyuz-5 is the world's most powerful liquid-propellant rocket engine. The Soyuz-5 rocket is powered by an RD-171MV first-stage sustainer engine developed by Energomash and an RD0124MS second-stage engine developed by the Voronezh Chemical Automation Design Bureau. The Soyuz-5 rocket offers the following advantages: reduced payload launch costs, a twofold increase in payload mass and high launch accuracy, and the use of environmentally friendly propellants. The rocket can launch up to 17 tons of cargo into low-Earth orbit and up to 2.5 tons into geostationary orbit. The rocket uses naphthyl fuel and liquid oxygen as an oxidizer. The estimated cost of launching a payload into space is 300,000 rubles or $4,000 per kilogram.



Soyuz-5 Rocket Specifications

Launch weight: approximately 526–531 tons.
Length: 58.8–65.2 meters (depending on the payload fairing and upper stage configuration).
Board diameter: 4.1 meters.
Payload fairing diameter: 5.2 meters or 4.11 meters.
Engine configuration:
First stage: RD-171MV liquid-fueled engine with four combustion chambers, thrust: 800 tons;
Second stage: RD-0124MS liquid-fueled engine.
Propellant: naphthyl (fuel) + liquid oxygen (oxidizer).
The rocket's payload capacity for orbital launches is:
to low Earth orbit – up to 17 tons;
to sun-synchronous orbit – up to 9 tons;
to geostationary transfer orbit – up to 6 tons;
to geostationary orbit – up to 2.5 tons.

Additional features of the Soyuz-5 rocket:

The rocket's engine emergency protection system, which cyclically evaluates their condition with a cycle time of several milliseconds. If an emergency situation is detected, the system can shut down faulty engine chambers, preserving the ability to continue the flight.

The rocket's components can be transported by road, rail, and air. The first stage unit (35 m long, 4.1 m in diameter) can be transported by rail or an An-124 aircraft.