Unmanned mystery: an unknown boat on the Crimean coast
This week it became known that the Ukrainian formations, with all the necessary secrecy, received new unmanned boats. They have already tried to use such a technique to solve a real problem, but this mission failed. A boat of unknown type and purpose ended up on the shore and was discovered, and later destroyed for security reasons.
Failed mission
News about an unknown product, probably used by the Kyiv regime, appeared this Wednesday, September 21. First, specialized resources and blogs reported about the unusual find, and soon Russian officials took the floor. Information from the Ukrainian side has not yet been received - probably, Kyiv is still trying to maintain secrecy.
An unknown boat was found on Wednesday on the Black Sea coast near the city of Sevastopol. The object lay on the rocks and was unable to return to the sea. It was not possible to identify the boat by its appearance. There was no marking indicating the manufacturer or nationality. On the nose of the hull there were letters and numbers applied by hand not in production.
Later it became known that emergency services arrived at the scene of discovery. They studied the object and considered it potentially dangerous. It was decided to tow it out to sea and blow it up there. The moment of explosion and the fountain of spray were observed from the shore.
While the unmanned boat was on the shore, unknown witnesses managed to take several photos. They show the appearance of the product and allow you to determine some of its features. The internal structure of the boat, for obvious reasons, is unknown. However, the available amount of information provides a basis for some conclusions, estimates and assumptions.
View from a different angle, you can see the shape of the bottom
Apparently, the crewless boat is of foreign origin and was provided to Ukraine as part of military-technical assistance. Ukrainian formations tried to use it, but the results of such a mission are in question. Whether the task was accomplished is not clear; while a valuable sample was lost and violated secrecy.
foreign footprint
Over the past few months, foreign partners of the Kyiv regime have repeatedly spoken about the possible transfer of surface and underwater unmanned systems to it. At the same time, specific types of equipment were not named and only its purpose and some possibilities were indicated. Accordingly, the recent find from near Sevastopol cannot be unambiguously linked to any of the official statements.
Back in April, the United States included some unmanned systems in the next package of military-technical assistance. A Pentagon spokesman noted that these will be surface watercraft suitable for various tasks in the context of coastal defense. At the same time, the type of such equipment, quantity, etc. remained unknown. The shipment of such complexes, if carried out, was held in secrecy.
Not so long ago, at the end of August, similar plans were announced by the British military department. It planned to transfer six unnamed unmanned underwater vehicles to Ukraine. By the time this information was disclosed, the British fleet had already started training Ukrainian operators. The transfer of the first devices was expected in the near future.
Which of these supplies is related to the "Sevastopol" drone, unknown. It cannot be ruled out that this episode of technical assistance was not publicized at all and was fully implemented behind closed doors. And its existence became known only now, and because of an unsuccessful mission.
It should be noted that the boat does not look like any known example of such equipment. This fact suggests that we are talking about a completely new foreign development. Moreover, this complex could be created specifically for delivery to Ukraine, as was the case with some types of UAVs.
Thus, who developed and produces a crewless boat, why it is needed and how it got to Ukraine is unknown. Perhaps the situation will become clearer in the future. If the Kyiv regime received several of these items, it will try to use them again. And these episodes will probably help complete the existing picture.
Characteristic appearance
The found object was an unmanned boat with a traditional hull shape and a rudimentary superstructure. Almost all external elements were painted black or dark gray - for covert movement on the surface of the water. The length of the product can be estimated within 2-3 m. The displacement is up to several hundred kilograms.
The structure is made of metal and/or plastic parts. The hull received vertical sides and a V-shaped underwater part. The superstructure had a complex curved shape with protruding sections and probably served as a casing for internal equipment. On its bow were placed transverse shields to protect against splashes. On the bow and near the stern on the deck, removable covers are visible for access inside. Perhaps there are connectors under them for connection, etc.
Apparently, the boat received an electric power plant. There should be room in the stern for the propeller motor. A jet propulsion is visible under the aft end. Batteries are placed in the free volumes of the case, providing energy for movement and for the operation of various devices.
View of the stern and water cannon
The running and maneuvering characteristics of the boat cannot be assessed. It can be assumed that the water jet propulsion allows to develop significant speeds. At the same time, the battery charge was enough to sail to Sevastopol from areas controlled by Ukraine.
Directly on the bow of the boat there was a small-sized video camera. A movable base with a two-channel optical system was placed on the superstructure. In the stern was a casing of a characteristic shape of unclear purpose. Maybe it's a communications antenna. The exact composition of the internal equipment is unknown, but it is clear that the boat needs an autopilot and / or a remote control system, a navigation system and two-way communication with the operator.
Two round elements of unknown purpose are visible on the stem of the hull. A version is proposed, according to which the boat is the carrier of the warhead, and two "eyes" on the nose act as a target sensor. Such an assessment is not confirmed by anything, but it has the right to life. The general appearance, equipment and possible layout of the internal volumes allow the boat to be a kind of "loitering ammunition".
It can be assumed that the boat combines reconnaissance and strike functions. Its small size, low profile and coloring allow it to covertly move around the waters, and two cameras provide driving and monitoring. The boat can stay in a given area for some time and transmit data. If it is equipped with a warhead, then after the observation phase, an attack and defeat of the found target can follow.
It is obvious that somewhere on the Ukrainian territory there was an operator's console from which the boat was controlled, and other equipment from the complex. There should also be a crew that managed to disrupt the task, bring the product to the shore and declassify it.
The use of the boat in the representation of the artist
New threat
Ukrainian formations sent their new unmanned boat to Sevastopol, the main base of the Black Sea fleet. This means that the enemy is again trying to threaten our ships and their crews. In this regard, it is necessary to take certain measures that will rule out the success of another unmanned mission.
As part of the Black Sea Fleet, as in other associations, there are anti-sabotage special forces that protect bases and ships. They probably already know about the new threat and have even developed ways to counter it. To combat unmanned boats, all existing means of protecting water areas can be used.
In addition, it should be noted that the unknown boat depends on radio communications. Accordingly, electronic intelligence and combat systems will be an effective means against it. Under the influence of interference, the next boats can also involuntarily “stick” to the stones on the shore.
Unknown novelty
Thus, a new model of foreign equipment, possibly with the functions of weapons, appeared at the disposal of the Ukrainian formations. They are already trying to use it, but so far without success. At the same time, it was not possible to keep the boat secret, and now not only the Russian military, but also the interested part of the public knows about it.
It is obvious that our fleet is already taking the necessary measures and is ready to fight the new threat. This means that the next attempts to use boats will again run into problems and will also not be successful. And it cannot be ruled out that the next such sample will fall into the hands of Russian specialists intact, will be subjected to careful study and reveal all its secrets.
Information