Merlin-vr (8004f3d7-4f28-5b81-abe6-d6131b003990)
The Merlin‑VR is a Russian‑manufactured, fixed‑wing UAV built by the Research Institute of Modern Telecommunication Technologies (NII STT JSC) and promoted by RIA Novosti. Classified as an ISR platform, it conducts long‑duration (up to 10 h) aerial surveillance and reconnaissance at altitudes of 4.5–5 km, cruising at 70‑140 km/h with a 4.9 m wingspan and a 7 kg payload capacity for electro‑optical/infrared sensors. Although marketed as a “hybrid‑power” system, recovered airframes revealed a conventional internal‑combustion engine. Deployed by the Russian Armed Forces, the Merlin‑VR has seen limited combat use, having been shot down twice by Ukrainian forces in 2022 and 2023, indicating its role as a tactical intelligence‑gathering asset rather than a combat‑oriented drone.
| Cluster A | Galaxy A | Cluster B | Galaxy B | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| russia (84668357-5a8c-4bdd-9f0f-6b50b2525553) | Country | Merlin-vr (8004f3d7-4f28-5b81-abe6-d6131b003990) | UAVs/UCAVs | 1 |
| Merlin-vr (8004f3d7-4f28-5b81-abe6-d6131b003990) | UAVs/UCAVs | Private Cluster (9ba1a30e-91cd-5450-a8e9-0cb0a5aee03a) | Unknown | 1 |
| russia (84668357-5a8c-4bdd-9f0f-6b50b2525553) | Country | 151 - Eastern Europe (c7cb0859-5680-4bdb-9c78-46cab3504a62) | Regions UN M49 | 2 |