Confirmed by practice: the potential of the loitering ammunition "Lancet"
Exhibition layout "Lancet". Zala Aero Photos
The Russian army actively uses various loitering ammunition. With their help, the search and destruction of various ground targets and enemy objects is carried out. The products of the Lancet family received the greatest fame in this class. With enviable regularity, new and new videos are published showing the use of such ammunition and confirming their high efficiency.
Combat application
According to various reports, Russian units began to use loitering ammunition (AP) of available types already in the first weeks or months of the Special Operation. At the same time, for some time the scale of application of such technology was limited. Apparently, the current production volumes did not allow the use of BB in the desired quantities.
The apparent situation began to change in autumn and winter. During this period, it became known about the growth in the production of "Lancets" and other equipment. In addition, videos showing the use of BB began to appear more and more in the public domain. Some of them were filmed with a regular ammunition camera. To date, the number of such videos has increased significantly, and new ones are constantly being published.
"Lancet" flies up to the Ukrainian tank - white spot near the left side of the aiming mark. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
Available videos most clearly show what the "Lancets" of all modifications are capable of. With their help, various types of vehicles, artillery and missile systems, various armored vehicles, radar and radio systems, etc. are affected. Unprotected targets are guaranteed to be destroyed, while objects with good protection, at a minimum, receive serious damage and lose their combat effectiveness.
In early June, Ukrainian formations launched a long-promised counter-offensive. These events added work to the Lancet operators and also helped them increase their combat scores again. BB, along with other means, were actively used to detect, defeat and contain the enemy.
It is noteworthy that this time the Russian BB had to fight even with modern NATO-made armored vehicles. On account of the "Lancets" are several main tanks Leopard 2 of the latest modifications, BMP M2 Bradley, etc. At the same time, the combat accounts of unmanned systems and their crews continue to grow - the enemy is not in a hurry to stop his useless "offensive".
Loitering ammunition is approaching the Leopard 2 tank. Photo by Telegram / "Spetsnaz Archangel"
It should be noted that not all "Lancets" successfully solve the problem. To protect against such a threat, the enemy tries to cover the technique or position with mesh screens. In some cases, such an obstacle really delays the BB. However, published materials show that such cases are an exception, and the vast majority of Lancets successfully hit their chosen target.
According to known data, after the start of the Special Operation, the Lancet product was upgraded. Due to the refinement of some components and the replacement of others, it was possible to increase some characteristics and improve combat qualities. advanced Drones are already mass-produced and began to enter the troops a long time ago.
Technical potential
Promising UAVs / BBs of the Lancet series were created by Zala Aero (part of the Kalashnikov concern) in the second half of the XNUMXs. At the end of the decade, two products of this line began to be shown at exhibitions, and soon they entered service with the Russian army. To date, mass production of "Lancets" of the original and modernized versions has been organized, corresponding to the needs of the army.
View from the Lancet's camera. Telegram photo / "Spetsnaz Archangel"
The product "Lancet" is an aircraft of a specific aerodynamic design. On the elongated fuselage, two sets of X-shaped planes are installed, providing flight and maneuvering. The forward compartment of the fuselage accommodates optical equipment and other devices, the warhead and the battery are placed in the center, and the tail is given under the electric motor with a pusher propeller. The airframe is made of plastic/composite with minimal use of metal parts.
Initially, two versions of the UAV were shown at the exhibitions. The product "Lancet-1" had a mass of 5 kg and carried a warhead of 1 kg. The larger "Lancet-3" weighs 12 kg and is equipped with a 3-kg charge. The flight speed in both cases reaches 100-110 km/h, duration - 30-40 minutes, depending on the model. Communication devices from the complex ensure operation within a radius of tens of kilometers from the operator.
For the Lancet, a special set of onboard equipment was developed. The UAV carries a video camera on a mobile installation, due to which the search for targets and guidance is carried out. There is a remote control system. The flight is carried out using a navigation module protected from interference and external influences. It creates its own navigation field and does not need external signals that can be suppressed.
The turret was pierced, a fire started in the ammunition compartment. Telegram photo / "Spetsnaz Archangel"
The ground part of the Lancet complex includes several fixed assets. First of all, it is an operator console and a communication system. The transfer of commands, images and telemetry is carried out via noise-immune secure channels. To launch the BB, a compact catapult is used, suitable for transportation by various means.
Objective Benefits
Even at the stage of the first demonstrations and tests, the developer company claimed that its BBs of the Lancet series have a number of important features and advantages. Now this information is confirmed in practice during real combat operations. In addition, some other important features of the product become known.
In general, the Lancet products once again confirmed the potential of the loitering ammunition concept. Technique of this kind has existed for a long time and is actively used by foreign countries. Now BBs appeared in our army - and they were quickly appreciated. "Lancets" have become as important and widespread as a striking weapon, like artillery or aviation.
"Lancet" flies to the radar of the IRIS-T complex, as seen from the drone. Photo Telegram / BMPD
At first glance, "Lancets" of all versions have low flight performance. However, this level of parameters is quite justified and allows us to solve the set tasks. Thus, the limited flight speed and high maneuverability simplify guidance in the final section. Despite the limited flight time, the BB is able to work at a considerable depth and / or search for targets for a long time.
A fragmentation or cumulative fragmentation warhead weighing up to 3 kg proved to be an effective tool against a variety of targets. It destroys unprotected equipment or causes serious damage to it. Also, a 3-kg warhead proved to be effective against armored vehicles up to tanks. So, in the famous video, the Lancet easily broke through the side of the Leopard-2 turret and set fire to the ammunition load. A hit in the frontal projection, even without breaking through the armor, leads to fatal damage to external elements, incl. sights and guns.
Of great interest are the episodes of the use of "Lancets" on enemy radio equipment. For example, in mid-April, a video of an American-made AN / TPQ-36 radar drone was published, and in the first days of the Ukrainian counteroffensive, an IRIS-T air defense system was hit.
Before hitting the Bukovel EW station. Photo Telegram / "Military informant"
These episodes show that small-sized plastic ammunition is an extremely difficult target for enemy air defense. He cannot be detected and reliably taken for escort, not to mention the subsequent defeat. At the same time, the BB itself gets the opportunity to break through the enemy defenses and hit its key elements.
In mid-June, the Lancet demonstrated the defeat of the Bukovel electronic warfare station, designed specifically to counter UAVs. This episode shows that the Russian BB, due to a special approach to the creation of electronics, is protected from interference and can operate in the EW coverage area using standard operation algorithms.
Confirmed by practice
At the development stage, it was assumed that the loitering ammunition of the Lancet line would be able to effectively solve the assigned combat missions. With their help, it was planned to search for and hit ground targets; the possibility of using it in air defense as an "air mine" was also studied. During the current Special Operation, the Lancet ammunition fully confirmed the calculated characteristics and showed the possibility of effective combat work. In general, they have become an important element of the Russian army's weapons system, and have also gained well-deserved fame.
It is obvious that the release and use of the "Lancets" will continue. In addition, we should expect the next stage of improvement of these products. Modernization may affect different structural elements and devices, and all such measures will positively affect the overall performance and capabilities.
Information