First results: development of Russian loitering munitions
Apparatus "Cube-UAV" on the starting catapult. Zala Aero Photos
Over the past few years, the Russian army has received a number of types of attack unmanned aerial vehicles that hit the target with a direct hit. Created, mass-produced and used loitering ammunition and Drones-kamikaze of different classes and weight categories with sharply different characteristics. At the same time, all of them find application in practice and confirm the design characteristics.
Late start
The modern concept of loitering ammunition (BB) was formed and first implemented in Israel in the eighties and nineties. At the same time, detailed information about such developments came abroad only a few years later. During this period, for well-known reasons, the Russian industry could not pay due attention to the entire direction of unmanned aviation, and therefore similar developments were not yet available.
At the beginning of the XXI century. the situation has changed, and active development of UAVs of various classes has begun in our country to solve various problems. At the same time, simpler and more relevant projects received priority. The BB concept was only considered in theory, and its implementation was postponed to an indefinite future.
The full-scale development of the new direction began in the mid-XNUMXs. Over the next few years, Russian enterprises introduced a number of kamikaze drones with different characteristics and functions. In the future, these products have undergone modernization, and new samples have appeared.
Exhibition layout of the UAV "Lancet". Zala Aero Photos
According to known data, all or almost all of the presented and adopted APs since 2022 have been used in the course of the Special Operation to Protect Donbass. In addition, last fall there was a loud “premier” in every sense of the new model, which is noticeably different from other UAVs. It cannot be ruled out that new types of ammunition will soon enter service and go to the combat zone.
First of its kind
The first domestic BB that got to open events and became widely known was the Kub-UAV product from Zala Aero (part of the Kalashnikov Concern). This UAV was developed and tested in 2018. Shortly after that, it began to be demonstrated at domestic and foreign exhibitions. At the turn of the decade, "Kub-BLA" went into series and got into the army.
The kamikaze UAV is built according to the “flying wing” scheme with a pronounced cylindrical fuselage. Wingspan exceeds 1,2 m, length - 950 mm. The product weighs several kilograms and carries a 3-kg warhead. Applied electric power plant with a pusher propeller. Takeoff is carried out from a catapult. In the original version, the Kub-UAV had an autopilot with guidance based on satellite navigation data. The device can remain in the air for up to half an hour and overcome at least 60-70 km.
UAVs of this type were tested in combat as part of the Syrian operation. Since last year, they have been used in the Special Operations in Ukraine. Apparently, the "Cube-UAV" is used infrequently - due to the limited characteristics, the specifics of guidance and the availability of more convenient alternatives. However, this UAV has already taken its place in stories domestic unmanned aircraft.
The defeat of the ground target "Lancet". Photo Telegram / Sashakots
It should be noted that the "Kub-UAV" in its original configuration does not fully correspond to the modern understanding of the term "loitering ammunition". This UAV is guided only by coordinates, and therefore cannot stay in the air for a long time and wait for the target to appear for a subsequent attack. From the point of view of combat capabilities, the Kub-BLA is a kind of cruise missile, which differs from other samples of this class in its greater simplicity and lower cost.
shock series
Based on the experience of previous projects, Zala Aero developed the next BB, called the Lancet. Tests of this UAV began in the summer of 2019, and soon it was shown to the public. At that time, two modifications of the apparatus, Lancet-1 and Lancet-3, were proposed, differing in size, characteristics and combat capabilities.
Both versions of the Lancet were built according to a special aerodynamic scheme and have two X-shaped sets of planes on an elongated fuselage. In both cases, an electric propulsion system with a pusher propeller is used. In the forward part of the fuselage there is a mobile optical-electronic station used for reconnaissance, target search and guidance. The product "Lancet-1" has a mass of 5 kg and carries a 1-kg warhead. The larger "Lancet-3" with a mass of 12 kg has a load of 3 kg. The flight range is at least 40 and 70 km, respectively.
Like the Cube, the Lancets were first used against real targets in Syria. Last year, they began to be used on Ukrainian facilities and equipment. Video materials appear regularly showing the process and result of the work of the Lancets. In addition, this drone has recently been upgraded based on operating experience. According to known data, the electronics were improved and the charge of the warhead was increased.
On a large scale
In October 2022, it became known that the Russian army has another kamikaze drone. In massive strikes against Ukrainian targets, the previously unknown Geran-2 UAVs began to be used. This product is fundamentally different from previous domestic BBs, although it has some similarities with one of them.
Hit "Lancet" in the self-propelled air defense system of the enemy. Photo Telegram / WarZ
Accurate information about the origin of "Geranium-2" is not yet available. According to some sources, this is a domestic development based on available components, while other sources consider this UAV to be a licensed copy of the Iranian Shahed-136 product. At the same time, it is reported that mass production of attack drones has been established at one of the Russian enterprises.
Outwardly and in its design, the Geran-2 UAV is similar to the light Kub-UAV. The "flying wing" scheme is used without a smooth interface of surfaces. Wingspan reaches 2,5 m, length - at least 3 m. Take-off weight - approx. 200 kg. The device is equipped with a piston engine with a pusher propeller. The flight speed is limited to 170-180 km / h, however, low fuel consumption allows you to get a range of up to 2-2,5 thousand km. "Geran-2" is aimed at a target with known coordinates using an autopilot with inertial and satellite navigation. A high-explosive warhead weighing 50 kg is used.
UAV "Geran-2" is distinguished by a certain simplicity of design, which allows mass production and use of it. These products are regularly used in large quantities to strike at Ukrainian targets and have long earned a good reputation.
As in the case of the Cube-UAV, the Geran-2 product is intended for a simple flight to a target with given coordinates and cannot be on duty in the air, waiting for an object to attack. From this point of view, Geran-2 is a surface-to-surface guided munition - an analogue of cruise missiles with its own specific advantages.
Big results
Thus, in just the past few years, the Russian industry has taken the necessary measures and developed several loitering ammunition with different capabilities at once. This gave our army new opportunities, and also allowed us to close the gap with foreign countries. In addition, in some cases, we can talk about the superiority of new domestic technology.
"Geranium-2" over Ukraine. Photo AFP
It is curious that with the help of just a few new designs, Russian industry and the army were able to close several important niches at once. So, the light "Cubes" and "Lancets" entered the ground units and expanded their capabilities to search for and destroy enemy objects, weapons and equipment. In addition, the army received a new long-range attack weapon in the form of Geranium, which can effectively supplement full-fledged air- or sea-based cruise missiles.
It is noteworthy that not only large enterprises are engaged in the topic of BB. Various small firms and organizations create their own versions of such equipment. Light class UAVs are rebuilt into ammunition or they are completely assembled from available components. Such equipment is not officially accepted for service, but also contributes to the overall results. Light kamikaze drones occupy a niche of short-range means, for which the Cube-UAV or Lancet-1 are redundant and / or too expensive.
High performance and efficiency of new domestic warheads and kamikaze drones are regularly demonstrated in the area of the Special Operation. At the same time, serial products of several types are used in parallel with other weapons, incl. to solve common problems - depending on the situation, goals, etc.
Loitering munitions have proven themselves well and there is no doubt that this area of unmanned aircraft will be further developed. New samples of this class can already be developed and even tested at test sites. The assembly of handicraft equipment does not stop either. Accordingly, kamikaze drones will no longer disappear from the combat zone, and their role may even grow.
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