Russia is set to develop unmanned agricultural machinery running on the Russian Glonass navigation system by 2018, Russian Izvestia newspaper reported Tuesday, citing the developer.

According to the newspaper, the technology will be developed by the Ruselectronics holding, represented by the Progress Microelectronic Research Institute (JSC Progress MRI) design center, for the Rostselmash agricultural equipment company.

"After the completion of development work in two years' time, we will be able to provide unmanned machinery [for the agricultural sector] - an operator may be present, but rather for control in case of unforeseen situations.

There seem to be no particular dangers in an open field," first deputy CEO for development and researches at JSC Progress Igor Korneyev was quoted as saying by the paper.

The development of the hydraulic autopilot for the machinery will be carried out within the framework of innovative work funded by the Ministry of Industry.

According to Korneyev, the project has a budget of some 230 million rubles ($3.6 million).

The Glonass project, which was launched in 1993, is considered to be Russia's answer to the United States' GPS (Global Positioning System). The Glonass network operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces, consists of 28 satellites, 23 of which are operational.

The system allows real-time positioning and speed data for surface, sea and airborne objects around the world.

Source: Sputnik News