Drone bomber: drum-type device for dropping mines from the Netherlands
UAV with drop device
During recent local conflicts, various armed formations have tried to convert commercial unmanned aerial vehicles into weapon carriers. Another project of this kind was recently developed in the Netherlands. It provides equipment drone- a multicopter with a device for transporting and dropping mortar mines.
Drone mines
On May 14, an unusual foreign development was reported by the QuadroNews telegram channel dedicated to an unmanned aviation. According to him, a private company from the Netherlands, whose name was not named, has developed a special device for dropping ammunition from UAVs. Some technical details are also disclosed.
The message is accompanied by a couple of photos of the device on the media. As the latter, a medium-sized UAV with four rotors is used. The device is suspended under the central part of the device and turns out to be its largest unit. Tests of the device on an impromptu stand are also shown. In the corresponding video, the prototype is placed on a soft suspension and sequentially drops several inert mines.
It is alleged that the UAV with the reset device should go to Ukraine. They were planned to be handed over to Ukrainian formations for testing in a real conflict. At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that such products have already fallen into the combat zone and have even been used.
Prototype "bomber"
So, recently a video appeared on foreign resources showing the dropping of several mines from a drone onto a ground target. It is alleged that the aircraft belonged to Ukraine and attacked a Russian tank. The mines were dropped sequentially and at a fairly high rate, which indicates the presence of some kind of drop system. Of course, if this video is not another fake from the Ukrainian side.
Reset device
The new Dutch development is a revolver-type suspended drop device designed for installation on UAVs of a suitable size and payload. Judging by the published materials, it is intended for carrying and dropping mortar mines of 60 mm caliber of NATO standards. Perhaps the design can be redesigned for other ammunition.
The device is made in a housing of a simplified and lightweight design. In fact, it is a frame assembled from end caps and intermediate frames, as well as several longitudinal elements. This ensures the necessary functions and achieves maximum weight reduction.
From the bottom in this frame-case there is a window for resetting min. Above are the means of installation on a carrier drone. It is not clear how meals and reception of commands are organized. Perhaps in the upper casing is placed its own battery and radio control system.
Bench tests: dropped the first mine
A rotating drum with ammunition cells is placed inside the frame. The prototype tested on the bench holds up to 10 minutes. There is an electric drive with remote control. The rotation of the drum is carried out step by step at an angle corresponding to the distance between adjacent cells.
The existing release device has limited dimensions and weight, due to the dimensions of the selected mine. So, the main 60-mm NATO shots have a length of about 370-380 mm. Weight of ammunition - approx. 1,7 kg. Thus, the diameter of the drop device should be within 300-350 mm, and the length should exceed 400-450 mm. The mass of the product with ammunition is about 20 kg.
Work principles
The first carrier of the reset device was a quadrocopter of an unnamed model, available on the civilian market. It has a significant size and high carrying capacity, allowing you to carry both the product itself and the mines in it. According to QuadroNews, the resulting "bomber" can be removed from the operator by 10 km and is equipped with optics with a magnification of 36x.
Perhaps the proposed device is compatible with other types of media. There are already a number of multicopters on the commercial market that can lift a large and rather heavy load in the form of a mine release device.
Reset by series
The principle of operation of the device is quite simple. The UAV finds the target and takes a position directly above it. Then the operator gives a command, and the electric motor turns the drum. The next cell is brought to the reset window, after which the mine falls out under its own weight. The next reset command causes the drum to rotate again and the ammunition to fall out.
Advantages and disadvantages
The new Dutch project is of at least technical interest. It offers an interesting solution to an actual problem and at the same time has a number of obvious advantages over other developments in this area. In this regard, the emergence of new projects of this kind, based on ideas from the Netherlands, cannot be ruled out.
The main advantage of the new release device is the ability to carry several mines with the possibility of their use on one or different targets. In this case, standard 60-mm mortar mines with relatively high power are used. All this distinguishes the new Dutch project from many other developments in this area.
Another advantage of the project is its simplicity. The drop device is not complex in design and does not require special components, and an affordable UAV with suitable characteristics becomes its carrier. In theory, this allows the armed formations to collect and take on the supply of a large number of "bombers", which provides obvious advantages.
Using a 60mm shot with an M224 mortar
The design of the drum release device can be adapted to the use of other ammunition without fundamental changes. In this case, the rotating indoor unit must receive cells of a different diameter and length. In this case, the number and type of ammunition will have to be determined taking into account the characteristics of the carrier drone used. Larger UAVs will be able to carry 81/82 mm mines, while smaller ones will have to make do with grenades.
However, simplicity has its drawbacks. Thus, a commercial UAV, unlike specialized military products, is not highly resistant to electronic warfare. In addition, practice shows that such products can be detected and hit by modern air defense systems. The presence of high-explosive fragmentation ammunition on board increases the risks during shelling.
It should be noted that the issue of working in the air defense coverage area is of particular importance. Apparently, the drop device allows you to bomb ground targets only from hover. Bombing from level flight is fundamentally possible, but it is not clear whether it will be developed and implemented. However, in any case, the drone will have to approach its target at a minimum distance and, accordingly, fall into the coverage area of anti-aircraft weapons - with all the obvious risks.
Objective limitations
Thus, an unnamed company from the Netherlands offered a rather interesting and successful solution to a topical issue. Its version of turning a commercial UAV into a military "bomber" is not particularly difficult, but it can still show high performance. In addition, such a project has a number of important differences and advantages over other similar developments. At the same time, the commercial platform and simplified design impose certain limitations and do not allow to cope with objective risks.
It is reported that UAVs with a reset device must be tested by practice in Ukraine. Perhaps the first samples have already been delivered to the combat zone and are being prepared for use. Given the peculiarities of such a technique and the current situation, one should not expect outstanding results. Moreover, it is very likely that such tests will not last long and will end due to the loss of improvised bombers.
- Ryabov Kirill
- Telegram / QuadroNews, US Department of Defense
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