With a machine gun against "Geranium". Ukrainian attempts to create interceptor drones
"Geranium-2" in flight. Missing tracers are visible. Frame from video Telegram / sashakots
Ukraine is looking for workable and effective methods and means to combat Russian Geran-2 unmanned aerial vehicles. Various systems are offered, incl. special Drones- interceptors carrying small arms weapon. According to the latest data, such products have already appeared, and foreign components and technologies were used in their creation.
Unmanned News
On October 18, reports appeared on Ukrainian resources about the creation of a UAV with a machine gun on board. This product was made by some volunteers specifically for the fight against Russian strike aircraft. The message was accompanied by a couple of short videos showing the preparations for takeoff and the actual flight.
When and where these videos were filmed is unknown. The green grass and light clothing of the “actors” suggest that the flights took place in the summer. It is possible that the UAVs were assembled long before the first Geranium strikes.
Technical details were not provided, but the video shows some features of the artisanal project. The basis of the complex was a hexacopter. From below, a suspension with guidance drives was attached to it, on which a machine gun or its imitation was installed. The use of weapons was not demonstrated.
Literally the next day, October 19, the topic of interceptor drones was raised by the Israeli edition of Debka Files. From its sources in Ukraine, it learned that such equipment had indeed appeared at the disposal of the armed formations. In addition, unnamed sources in the Ukrainian units revealed some details.
Ukrainian drone-interceptor with a machine gun. Frame from video from unknown "volunteers"
According to Debka-Files, the interception UAVs were manufactured by the Ukrainian side independently, but foreign components were used. So, an Israeli-made Smart Shooter (SMASH) smart shooting system was installed on an existing air platform with sufficient characteristics.
The publication recalls the main features of the Smart Shooter complex, such as a perfect system of sensors and a computing unit with artificial intelligence. It is also reported that "Smart Shooter" provides high accuracy of fire, which allows you to deal with different targets, incl. with drones.
It should be noted that the Smart Shooter line from the Israeli company of the same name includes several different products. Apparently, in the last the news we are talking about the SMASH Dragon shooting complex, designed for installation on multicopters of sufficient carrying capacity. You also need to pay attention to the fact that the prototypes of the Dragon system are not similar to the Ukrainian UAV, the flights of which were shown a few days ago. Two complexes are related only by the main idea, while its execution is seriously different.
Smart Interceptor
In the context of air defense organization, it is the Israeli-designed SMASH Dragon product that is of the greatest interest. It is reported that such systems have already reached Ukraine, but there is no official confirmation of this yet. Moreover, Israel has repeatedly stated that it will not transfer any weapons to the Kyiv regime. What information is true is not yet clear.
The SMASH Dragon system is a special combat module for installation on air platforms. Depending on the weapon and ammunition used, the module has a mass of at least 7 kg, which determines the range of potential carriers. The dimensions of the product generally correspond to the limitations of such UAVs.
"Dragon" is suspended under the body of the drone using a mounting bracket. From below, a U-shaped movable base is attached to the latter, on which a swinging part with mounts for weapons and a “smart sight” is suspended. There are pickup drives in two planes. Horizontal aiming is circular, vertical - from + 65 ° to + 15 °.
Ukrainian interceptor in flight
As part of the Dragon system, the SMASH FCU "smart sight" is used, made on the basis of the product of the same name for infantry weapons. The compact housing contains day and night cameras, a range finder, a ballistic computer, drive controls and a data exchange system with the operator. The sight is rigidly blocked with the weapon and moves with it.
SMASH FCU is designed to monitor the situation day and night, search for targets and control weapons. The sight independently calculates the data for firing and controls the aiming drives. There are functions of two-plane stabilization and tracking of the selected target. The module maintains constant communication with the operator and executes his commands.
The combat module can be equipped with different types of weapons. Compatibility with 5,56- and 7,62-mm rifles or machine guns, as well as 40-mm grenade launchers is declared. The promotional materials featured a lightweight 5,56mm AR-15 type rifle. The effective range of firing at stationary or moving ground targets is 300 m. It is also possible to fire at small UAVs from distances up to 200 m.
Practical perspectives
The idea of mounting small arms or other weapons on UAVs to intercept other UAVs is neither new nor original. A number of similar projects are known, and some of them showed acceptable results. The Israeli project SMASH Dragon continues the development of this concept and proposes the use of a "smart sight", which should increase combat performance.
The SMASH Dragon complex is really capable of solving the assigned tasks. With the help of an unmanned platform, he can quickly get to the desired area, conduct patrols and perform reconnaissance from the air. The SMASH FCU sight, in turn, allows you to shoot with high accuracy and hit various targets, depending on the weapon used.
Israeli SMASH Dragon complex with a lightweight AR-15 rifle. Photo Smart Shooter
Such a complex can effectively search for and defeat enemy manpower or unprotected equipment. In addition, the developer talks about the possibility of destroying small UAVs at considerable distances. However, more difficult targets are now mentioned, which may be beyond the strength of the Dragon.
According to the latest news, they will try to use SMASH Dragon to intercept the Geran-2 UAV, and the prospects for such an idea are doubtful. The effective solution of such a problem is hampered by technical and organizational factors, as well as the reaction of the enemy to any attempts to restore air defense even of individual areas.
Obviously, the Dragons will have difficulty detecting a flying combat UAV in a timely manner - if at all they can solve this problem. On-board optics is unlikely to allow observation at long distances and timely detection of the target. Accordingly, drones will have to be supplemented with other means of detection, command posts, etc.
When detecting and taking the "Geranium" for escort, new difficulties should be expected. Even if the interceptor is able to aim the weapon and make an accurate shot, the destruction of the strike UAV is not guaranteed. New shots will be required, the success of which is also in question, although the “smart aim” increases the chance of hitting.
In this context, we should recall the recent episodes of the combat use of the Geran-2 UAV. Ukrainian fighters repeatedly fired at such drones from standard small arms, but the effectiveness of the fire turned out to be extremely low. Even if there were hits, the UAVs continued to fly towards their designated targets. Whether the SMASH FCU will allow you to get different results is a big question.
Drone over Kyiv. Photo AFP
Multicopters in terms of basic flight characteristics are inferior to aircraft-type drones. In particular, it can be assumed that the interceptor will not be able to pursue the Geran-2, and it will not have a chance of long-term shelling of it, which increases the likelihood of defeat.
In addition, helicopter-type platforms have limitations in terms of range and flight duration; similar difficulties with range are possible. Because of this, the creation of a full-fledged air defense of the area will require a lot of equipment and will lead to corresponding costs. In turn, saving on UAVs will make the defense insufficiently effective, and it will miss attack drones. With all this, the massive deployment of equipment and assets will attract attention, and the Russian army will interrupt this process with new strikes.
Systems like the Israeli SMASH Dragon as a whole are of some technical interest and are quite capable of finding their own scope, in which they will show maximum results. But in other areas and circumstances, such a technique is bound to run into objective limitations and fail to meet expectations - and possibly ruin its reputation.
Demilitarization continues
Attack UAVs "Geran-2" attracted attention and significantly influenced the course of the Special Operation. The enemy has learned from his own experience the capabilities of such drones and is now looking for ways to deal with them. Traditional means and air defense systems, weakened by long-term lack of proper maintenance and demilitarizing strikes, have shown themselves extremely poorly, and in this regard, new solutions are being sought.
This time, they offer to fight the Geraniums with the help of specialized interceptor drones with small arms. According to the latest news, Ukrainian formations already have such systems and may soon rise to intercept, but their effectiveness is still in doubt. Whether the Kyiv regime will be able to find a suitable means to deal with our UAVs is unknown. In the meantime, this has not happened, "Gerani" will continue their methodical and effective work.
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