Russia expected to test Starlink alternative in March

 Russian engineers plan to start test flights of the Argus stratospheric unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in March, Izvestia reported, citing project officials.

The drone is designed to deliver high-speed Internet to troops and other users, much like SpaceX's Starlink satellite system. It is expected to fly between 15 and 24 kilometers above the ground, a range reportedly beyond the reach of short-range air defense systems. Argus will rely on solar power for extended flight time and can be operated either manually or automatically. Project manager Nicholas Oxman told the newspaper that the drone's altitude forces enemies to use missiles such as the Patriot or S-300 to target it, making its destruction far more expensive than its production.

Starlink has been widely used by Ukraine, while some reports alleged that Russia once attempted to obtain terminals via other nations before the "unauthorized" use was blocked.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Russia-expected-to-test-Starlink-alternative-in-March/65684241