Kamikaze drone "Ghoul" and its advantages
Batch of UAV "Ghoul"
The real stars of the Special Operations this year were a variety of Drones-Russian-made kamikaze. With their help, our military personnel attack and destroy various enemy targets and inflict great damage on them. One of the most interesting representatives of this class is the Ghoul UAV, created by enthusiasts and widely used among the troops.
People's drone
The development of a new UAV, later called “Ghoul,” began last fall. The process of its development and improvement continues to this day, and new goals are being achieved. In addition, new details of the work become known. Thus, on December 17, the RT news agency published an interview with project leader Vladimir Tkachuk. He spoke about past successes in the development of "Ghoul", current work and plans for the future.
The idea of creating a new UAV was submitted last fall by servicemen from one of the Russian formations participating in the Special Operation. By that time, they had time to assess the potential of light attack drones and wanted to get more such equipment, incl. disposable class. With this idea, they turned to a familiar businessman and engineer from Yekaterinburg, V. Tkachuk, and he got down to business.
Drone housings
Soon a team of enthusiasts, including specialists from different fields, gathered around the idea from the front. Engineers, programmers, sports pilots of FVP drones, etc. joined the development of the new UAV. In addition, the project attracted the attention of several large and popular military-patriotic telegram channels, and they helped organize a nationwide fundraiser for the project. Then government agencies of the Sverdlovsk Region and the Ural Federal District joined the project - they provide various types of support.
The project almost immediately received the name “Ghoul”. In an interview with RT, V. Tkachuk pointed out that such a name is not pretentious and is well remembered. In addition, it is associated with our folk tales.
The development of a new UAV by enthusiasts took several months. At the beginning of 2023, the first samples were collected and tested. After the necessary modifications to the design, we began assembling large batches for shipment to formations and units of the active army. Tests in the war zone began in April, and the first videos taken by kamikaze drones were soon published.
Based on the results of tests in the troops, the production of “Ghouls” continued, and its pace gradually increased. Enthusiasts demonstrated an assembly line with dozens or even hundreds of parts for future UAVs. Reportedly, despite all the difficulties, they managed to reach high production rates and constantly send new batches of ever larger sizes to the army.
During the assembly process
As follows from the available data, “Ghouls” are constantly used in large quantities in different sectors of the front. With their help, enemy strongholds, equipment and manpower are destroyed. Some of the episodes of use become public - video recordings made by UAV cameras are published in open sources.
Simplified design
The goal of the Ghoul project was to create a light air platform capable of carrying a combat load. It needed to be simplified and made cheaper to increase production rates, but at the same time obtain high combat characteristics. Key problems of this kind were solved in the early stages of development, and some issues still require attention. In particular, radio equipment and controls are constantly being improved to maintain resistance to enemy electronic warfare.
The problem of simplifying the design and reducing the cost was solved by optimizing production. Some key UAV components have to be purchased abroad, while others are manufactured locally. Equipment assembly is also carried out in the most economical way. As a result, the cost of the system in the form of a drone and a ground station for a signal repeater for it was reduced to 50 thousand rubles. - not much for such a technique.
From a design point of view, the Ghoul is a small electric quadcopter and is similar to a lot of other models. The device is made on the basis of a plastic frame and a body made of the same material. It can be distinguished from other copters by a pair of vertical flat antennas. A video camera is located in the nose of the device, and the combat load is suspended under the bottom. This arrangement has been time-tested and is optimal.
"Ghoul" with a PG-7V grenade
The four propeller-engine groups of the UAV and their power supply system are assembled from components available on the market. The type and parameters of the motors and batteries used are not specified due to the sensitivity of the topic. The units used make it possible to obtain high flight data. Thus, when diving at a target, the “Ghoul” reaches speeds of up to 100 km/h and maintains controllability. Combat missions are carried out at a depth of 10-12 km from the front line.
The “Ghoul” in its current form carries a payload weighing up to 2 kg. Using special suspensions, grenade launcher rounds of the PG-7V series, hand grenades RKG-3M, as well as a wide range of warheads manufactured by the troops on their own are mounted on the bottom of the vehicle. In all cases, a contact fuse is used. The FPV guidance principle allows for maximum accuracy. At the same time, successfully hitting the target leads to the loss of the drone.
The aircraft is controlled by radio. On board the product there is a heading video camera and means of transmitting a video signal to the operator. Telemetry transmission and command reception are also carried out. The operator's equipment consists of a standard remote control and glasses for FPV systems. Measures have reportedly been taken to protect radio channels from interception and jamming. At the same time, the software and hardware responsible for communications are constantly being improved and updated to take into account new threats.
Presumably, filming by a night modification of the UAV
In a recent interview, the project initiator mentioned the fundamental possibility of creating a night modification of the Ghoul. The UAV can receive a night camera or thermal imager, but the complexity of such a device will lead to a sharp increase in the price of the complex as a whole. However, work on this is probably underway. So, on the eve of the publication in RT, the telegram channel “Turned in War” published, presumably, a frame shot by the night camera of a modernized drone.
To increase the combat radius and increase the reliability of the system, a UAV repeater of the “Extension” type is used. This is a quadcopter with a pair of antennas and corresponding radio equipment. A similar terrestrial repeater has also been developed. The presence of such products allows you to increase the combat radius of an attack drone or optimize the schemes for its use, protecting the crew.
High potential
The Ghoul project is of great interest for a number of reasons. Curious story its origin and development, its technical side attracts attention, and its front-line results are quite remarkable. First of all, this project shows that not only large industry-leading enterprises commissioned by the Ministry of Defense, but also groups of enthusiasts with nationwide fundraising can help the army and provide it with the required materiel.
Attention should be paid to solving organizational issues. The group of creators of “Ghoul” included volunteers with knowledge and competencies in various fields. In particular, a great contribution, which seriously influenced the overall result, was made by competitive pilots with experience in racing FPV-controlled UAVs. In addition, we managed to launch production in the shortest possible time, making it flexible and able to quickly respond to changes.
Repeater drone "Extender"
The result of all these efforts was a UAV with good combat potential. Its flight characteristics allow it to conduct combat operations at the tactical depth of enemy defenses, and its compatibility with different combat units ensures effective destruction of targets of different classes. At the same time, the complex also includes other means to improve overall results.
It should also be noted the modernization potential of the original design. “Ghoul” was repeatedly modified taking into account application experience and other factors. Allegedly, the current production UAV is similar to the first prototype only externally and architecturally. Otherwise it is a completely different product. Probably, the development of the design will continue, and new versions of the drone will appear, just as different from the current ones.
It should be noted that V. Tkachuk’s team and their “Ghoul” are not the only ones of their kind. A number of domestic enterprises offer their own versions of kamikaze drones, and this technology is also actively used at the front. At the same time, both small quadcopters with limited characteristics and full-size loitering ammunition of the “Lancet” type are produced.
Thanks to this, our army has at its disposal a wide range of disposable attack UAVs with various features and advantages. It becomes possible to use equipment with optimal capabilities and characteristics for specific tasks. Its simplicity and low cost ensure mass production and use - and kamikaze drones receive well-deserved fame.
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