“Drone missile” in Ukrainian: product “Palyanytsya”
Preparing for flight: the UAV is removed from the container
Ukrainian authorities continue to search for a “miracle”weapon", which could have turned the tide at the front and prevented their defeat. Now they are considering "rocket-Drone"of its own design called "Palyanytsya". With the help of this device, Kyiv plans to attack remote Russian objects.
New sample
The creation of a new weapon was first reported on August 24, Ukraine's Independence Day. This project, called “Palyanytsia”, is given great importance, and was discussed at the highest level, including the self-proclaimed president.
The project has reportedly been in development for the past year and a half by a Ukrainian organization. However, the developer and manufacturer of the “drone rocket” are not disclosed for obvious reasons. The project was named “Palyanytsya” after a Ukrainian bread recipe that has recently become a code word for identifying regime loyalists.
To date, the “drone missile” has been tested and even entered into service. Vladimir Zelensky claims that in honor of Independence Day it was used for the first time on a Russian target, and the attack was successful. However, this information is not confirmed by anything other than the words of the “president” himself.
During the assembly process
Ukrainian official resources and media published several videos about the new product. One of them shows the process of preparing the product for launch and takeoff. Another video with pathos reveals the goals and objectives of the project, and also promises strikes on remote targets in Russia. It is noteworthy that in this case, “Palyanytsya” was shown only in the form of graphics, and real footage with other weapons, mostly foreign, was used in the editing.
Now Ukraine is going to set up production of new “drone missiles” and use them against Russia. In addition, they promise to develop other long-range weapons. Whether these plans will be fulfilled in the context of systematic demilitarization of industry is a big question.
Technical part
From the first official publications, the general appearance of the new Ukrainian weapons became known. Some technical features are also mentioned, but without details. This allows us to imagine what “Palyanytsia” is, what threat it poses and how it can be fought.
“Palyanytsia” is called a “drone rocket”. Such a term does not make sense, but you can understand what they wanted to say. It seems that this product attempted to combine some of the features of cruise missiles and aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles.
Working with devices
The product is built according to the aerodynamic “duck” design. There is a cylindrical fuselage with an ogival nose cone. It is equipped with a mid-mounted front horizontal tail and a high-mounted wing. The tail contains two keels with a slight camber.
The UAV does not have its own chassis. For takeoff, a small wheeled trolley is used, with the ability to accelerate due to external force. Return and boarding drone not provided.
The exact dimensions of the UAV are unknown. It can be assumed that the length and span of the wing are 1,5–2 m. The mass is also not disclosed, and according to available information it will not be possible to estimate it.
The “drone rocket” is equipped with a small-sized turbojet engine. Its air intakes are located on the sides of the fuselage, and the nozzle is discharged through an open tail. The parameters of such a power plant are unknown, but it is claimed that Palyanitsya is faster than other Ukrainian drones.
The exact flight range is not specified, while the promotional materials indicate the desired targets for strikes. Ukraine plans to launch its products at various Russian facilities, including the Dyagilevo airfields in Ryazan and Savasleika in the Nizhny Novgorod region. However, it is unknown whether the Palyanitsya is really capable of such a flight range.
There are no signs of the use of optical-electronic or other reconnaissance systems on the airframe of the product. Apparently, the drone is equipped only with navigation aids and an autopilot, which help it fly along a given route or to a specified target. There is no possibility of additional target reconnaissance or full homing.
Probably, the “drone missile” carries a high-explosive or high-explosive fragmentation warhead of limited mass. The existing dimensions can accommodate a charge weighing no more than tens of kilograms.
Long range attempt
Ukrainian sources use the specific term “drone missile” for the Palyanitsya product. In essence, we are talking about a long-range kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicle. In recent years, this type of weapon has been actively developing, and now Ukraine is joining such processes.
Little is known about the new Ukrainian project. However, even the available data allows us to draw preliminary conclusions about the potential of these weapons in the context of their combat use and possible danger.
The new Ukrainian weapon is supposed to have several advantages. Firstly, it is simple in design, production and operation. Secondly, the product must have sufficiently high flight performance and guidance accuracy provided by modern equipment.
At the start
However, there are also disadvantages. For example, a product may be too complex for Ukrainian industry to produce in its current state. Questions also arise about the possible production culture, which will determine the real qualities of “drone missiles.”
The Russian air defense will have to fight the Ukrainian Palyanitsa. The new UAV has limited dimensions and is partially made of plastic, which should reduce its radar signature. At the same time, there are apparently no other means and methods of reducing visibility. As a result, a drone should not be a difficult target for modern radars.
Defeating a UAV with modern firepower also looks quite possible. This will be facilitated by both the radar signature of the target and the presence of a turbojet engine with a fairly hot exhaust on it.
The Palyanitsya product is equipped with navigation and control electronics. This makes it susceptible to electronic warfare. It should be recalled that a significant part of Ukrainian drones launched towards our territory are successfully suppressed by interference and thrown off course.
In flight
In the presence of such factors, it will be possible to achieve success in an attack only with the massive use of drones. However, this requires a large number of products, up to several dozen per direction/target. It is unlikely that Ukraine, even with the assistance of its allies, will be able to accumulate a supply of Palyanitsa for even one such raid.
In addition, it should be taken into account that the Russian army will try to identify the production sites of new Ukrainian “drone missiles” and disable the assembly lines. Regular attacks on the military infrastructure of Ukraine show that such a task is quite feasible. In this case, not only the production of “Palyanitsa”, but also other projects may suffer.
Another attempt
Thus, Ukraine is again looking for a miracle weapon that will help change the situation at the front and avoid defeat. This time they are going to use something between a kamikaze drone and a cruise missile against Russia.
Ukrainian authorities claim that the product, called “Palyanytsya,” is already used in combat and has even hit an actual Russian target. However, there is no reliable information about this yet. It may not appear because either the weapon was not used or it did not reach its target.
Even if Ukrainian forces start using these weapons, they should not expect great results. Defense destroys or suppresses most enemy unmanned strike systems, and only a few reach their designated targets. There is no reason to believe that the new Palyanitsya will be an exception.
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