Loitering ammunition "Kub-BLA" in production and at the front
General view of the "Cube-UAV" product in flight configuration. Zala Aero Graphics
In recent years, the Russian army has received several loitering ammunition of various types and modifications. The first in this series was the “Cube-UAV” product from the Zala Aero company. This attack drone has found its place in the military, is being mass-produced and is gradually being improved. In addition, it is actively used to solve real combat missions.
Manufacturing process
The promising loitering munition (AM) “Kub-BLA” was first presented in 2019 at one of the major foreign exhibitions. By that time, the project had reached the flight test stage, and experienced equipment was demonstrating its capabilities. At the same time, it was already possible to make the first estimates and forecasts.
At the turn of the decade, the development company Zala Aero, part of the Kalashnikov concern, carried out all the necessary tests. Capacities were also prepared for mass production of the new BB. In 2022, the Ministry of Defense decided to accept the Cuba-UAV into service and issue a government order for the production of such ammunition. Soon after the contract was signed, the army received the first batches of serial BBs.
Ammunition on the launcher. Photo Concern "Kalashnikov"
Production of "Cuba-UAV" continues to this day, and it is even being expanded. So, last year, Kalashnikov opened a new production of UAVs and missiles, designated as a division of special vehicles. It got involved in the work and successfully completes the assigned tasks. In December, the concern's management reported that in recent months the division had been able to more than double the production of loitering ammunition.
At the same time, by order of the Ministry of Defense, the production of a modernized version of the product was mastered. The first production batch of BBs with new combat equipment was handed over to the customer in December.
For obvious reasons, all production and order details remain unknown. According to various estimates, Zala and the Kalashnikov concern can assemble dozens of Cube-UAVs every day at several sites in Izhevsk. In addition, they produce unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions of a number of other types, and the total production volumes allow us to speak of, at a minimum, national records.
Detonation of a warhead during testing. Photo Concern "Kalashnikov"
Modernization issues
At the time of its appearance, the Kub-ULA product had a sufficiently high level of flight performance and combat characteristics, which made it possible to solve all expected combat missions. At the same time, the design had a certain reserve for subsequent upgrades, and now it is used to improve the BB and increase its parameters.
The latest steps in this direction have been made in recent months. In a short time, Kalashnikov and Zala Aero developed and tested a new version of the warhead with increased power. Such warheads are already mass-produced and installed on manufactured warheads. Moreover, the first batch of Cubes updated in this way has already been delivered to the customer.
The Kub-ULA is initially equipped with a simplified control system, which includes only navigation aids and an autopilot. At the same time, there is a fundamental possibility of installing more complex means, including an optical-electronic system and corresponding communication devices with the operator. It is unknown whether this opportunity will be used in the further development of the existing BB.
Other ways to develop and improve performance are related to redesigning the airframe, changing the propulsion system, etc. So far, the possibility of such a change to Cuba-UAV has not been reported. At the same time, the Lancet family of BBs from the same development company clearly shows the fundamental possibility of such a development of technology and confirms the potential of this approach.
BB "Kub-BLA" (marked) attacks enemy boats. Photo Telegram / "Iron Helmets"
Drones at the front
According to known data, the first domestic loitering ammunition underwent military tests at Russian training grounds and in the combat zone in Syria. In the latter case, they were used to solve real combat missions. It was reported that the use of Kubov-UAVs in the Syrian operation was successful, but details were not provided.
In February 2022, the Russian army launched a Special Operation to protect Donbass. Just a few weeks after this, the first reports of the combat use of Kub-UAV products appeared. With their help, our operators attacked and hit various enemy objects and targets at tactical depth. At the same time, other modern domestically produced BBs were used simultaneously with the Cubes.
For obvious reasons, accurate data on the use of loitering ammunition and complete statistics of this kind are not yet publicly available. Nevertheless, attempts are being made to collect available information on the basis of which preliminary conclusions can be drawn.
Attack of the enemy position. Photo Telegram / BTR80
Revealed episodes of the use of the Kub-ULA BB are collected and systematized by the well-known Lost Armor project. Its database currently contains 44 records - from May 2022 to July 2023. Each of them has data on the location where the ammunition was used and is confirmed by photo or video. At the same time, it is obvious that only a small part of the attacks using “Cubes” were included in the database, and the bulk of such products accomplished their combat mission without public coverage.
In the known 44 strikes, Kub-UAV products were mainly used to attack stationary objects, such as positions of enemy formations, buildings, artillery and other systems in positions, etc. Such targets accounted for about half of all strikes. It is also worth noting the use of BBs against enemy infantry and mobile vehicles - 7 and 8 cases, respectively.
In 28 strikes, the UAV hit the target and damaged or destroyed it. Another 9 attacks failed, and the result of 7 is unknown. In general, these indicators look quite good and, with certain reservations, can confirm expectations. Thus, Kub-UAV products have demonstrated the ability to accurately target and engage large stationary targets with pre-known coordinates. The probability of a successful attack on a small target, incl. capable of movement, significantly less.
Contribution to the overall result
It should not be recalled that the Kub-BLA is far from the only domestic light-class loitering munition. Thus, the Zala Aero company proposed and brought to production a number of other BBs with different characteristics and capabilities. Similar developments are proposed by other domestic organizations and, in theory, can be obtained from foreign countries.
"Kub-BLA" makes an approach to enemy trucks. Photo Telegram / "Special Purpose Channel"
From a design point of view, the Kub-BLA differs significantly from other Russian BBs. In terms of technical and operational parameters, it is similar to some products, but inferior to others. In addition, the most important differences are related to the chosen method of flight control and targeting.
Like other loitering munitions, Kub-BLA has great potential for further development. It has already been improved by replacing the warhead, and other systems may be updated in the future. Due to this, they can improve performance and gain fundamentally new functions and modes. At the same time, the modernization project can be based on developments in other modern projects, which will provide additional benefits.
In general, at the moment, the Kub-ULA has found its place in the system of unmanned loitering weapons of our army and is fulfilling the tasks assigned to it. It is not the only one of its kind, and other BBs with different levels of characteristics, different operating principles, etc. are in parallel operation. Together, these samples create a developed and flexible system capable of solving a wide range of expected combat missions.
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