The Ukrainian UAV "Zozulya": A new threat with a predictable outcome
The Zozulya UAV at the exhibition
Ukraine has long been facing a shortage of various types of weapons and is attempting to compensate for this through the widespread deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles. Specifically, long-range UAVs are being produced, which are used to carry out terrorist attacks on Russian targets. A few days ago, the Ukrainian industry unveiled another such model, dubbed "Zozulya." It is claimed that this UAV has already entered serial production and is in combat use.
Unmanned "Kukushka"
A few days ago, a small exhibition was held in Ukraine dedicated to local developments in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles. aviationWarbirds of Ukraine was one of the event's participants. They had previously developed and brought several of their own UAVs into production and now presented a new model.
The new drum was shown publicly for the first time at the exhibition. UAV- a kamikaze missile called "Zozulya" (Ukrainian for "Kukushka"). They also revealed the project's goals, the vehicle's performance characteristics, and its estimated potential. How accurate all this information is remains to be seen.
It is claimed that the "Zozulya" has completed the development and testing phase, after which serial production has commenced. The Kyiv Defense Ministry has begun purchasing this type of equipment. Allegedly, approximately 100 drones have been manufactured and delivered to the customer. The start of combat use is mentioned, but no details are provided.
The Zozulya UAV is being considered as another long-range strike system. These systems are proposed for use against Russian targets at significant distances from combat zones. As always, the developers promise highly effective and efficient strikes.
Kamikaze plane
The Zozulya is a medium-sized and medium-weight unmanned aerial vehicle. It has a relatively simple design and is designed to deliver an integrated warhead to a ground target with predetermined coordinates. Overall, this UAV is similar to a number of other similar Ukrainian developments.
The drone has a rectangular fuselage and a high-mounted, straight wing. The empennage is T-shaped. It uses a tricycle landing gear with main landing gear below the wing and a tailwheel. Apparently, the airframe is constructed using readily available and inexpensive materials capable of achieving an acceptable level of performance and ease of manufacture.
The dimensions and weight of the aircraft are still unknown. Based on available materials, the wingspan can be estimated at 3-3,5 meters, and the length at 2-2,5 meters. The maximum takeoff weight should not exceed 150-200 kg.
The nose section houses a compact piston engine of an unknown type, equipped with a two-bladed propeller. The Zozulya's cruising speed is stated at 130 km/h, with a maximum of 180 km/h. The developers promise a maximum range of 2100 km. However, the maximum payload reduces this to 1000 km.
The UAV has a basic autopilot that allows it to fly a pre-programmed route. Satellite or inertial navigation is likely used. It's also possible that the program may be adjusted during flight.
It's worth noting that the drone at the recent exhibition lacked optical aids. This seriously limits its capabilities for target acquisition and homing. Specifically, due to the lack of such aids, the Zozulya cannot be classified as a loitering munition.
The Zozulya can carry a warhead weighing between 10 and 50 kg. Like other Ukrainian UAVs, it likely uses a simple high-explosive fragmentation warhead with a contact fuse.
Thus, Warbirds of Ukraine has developed yet another UAV with a simplified design and limited combat capabilities. The only thing that sets the Zozulya apart from other similar products is its stated range—assuming, of course, that it matches its actual performance.
With an unclear outcome
A Ukrainian drone developer reports that Zozulyas have already been deployed to armed forces and have even been used in real attacks. However, there is no reliable information yet on the use of this technology. Perhaps the company, eager to advertise its product, is simply rushing things.
At the same time, it cannot be ruled out that Ukrainian forces did attempt to use Zozulyas against Russian targets. Such attacks, predictably, failed to produce the desired results.
The Russian army daily repels massive Ukrainian drone strikes over various regions. Dozens of aerial targets are hit or suppressed daily. Among the threats destroyed in recent days may have been a number of new "Zozul" drones.
It should be noted that the Zozulya UAV should not be a difficult target for Russian systems. DefenseDomestic radars and other systems have long demonstrated their ability to detect plastic aircraft of limited size. In turn, artillery и missiles These targets are guaranteed to be hit. Electronic warfare systems can also be used to jam navigation and communication channels, causing the UAV to deviate from its route and come under fire or crash.
Compared to others
To date, Ukraine, both independently and with the assistance of its foreign allies, has developed a range of medium- and heavy-duty kamikaze drones. This technology is constantly being used to strike Russian targets, including those far from the combat zone.
"Palyanytsya" is another Ukrainian-developed attack UAV.
Most of these UAVs have a similar appearance and similar characteristics. The Zozulya and Lyutyi models, among others, are unmanned aircraft with a simplified design and minimal production costs. Efforts are also underway to create fully-fledged cruise missiles—models such as the Palyanitsya, Peklo, and Flamingo fall into this category.
The enemy believes its attack UAVs have a number of important features and advantages. These include simplicity and low cost, both in production and operation. The overall design of the UAVs and their individual technologies reduce their visibility to air defense systems. At the same time, modern components allow for highly accurate navigation and targeting, and a warhead weighing tens of kilograms is capable of inflicting significant damage.
The new Zozulya missile is not fundamentally different from other Ukrainian developments in its class in terms of its appearance or stated characteristics. Accordingly, it should have the same combination of advantages and disadvantages, as well as similar combat characteristics and effectiveness. However, it has the advantage over some models of increased range.
However, there are also some drawbacks, both unique to the UAV class as a whole. These characteristics reduce the overall capabilities of the drones and also make them easier to counter. Correcting these shortcomings in most cases proves too complex or even impossible.
Experience has shown that small size, radio-transparent materials, and other solutions are no protection against modern detection systems. Radars and optical systems detect and track such objects, as well as direct fire at them. Furthermore, the simplified electronics of UAVs increase their vulnerability to electronic warfare.
The design of such drones is fragile, and they carry a warhead weighing tens of kilograms. Essentially, any hit from a shell or anti-aircraft missile can cause fatal damage to the drone or even cause it to explode in mid-air.
The "Peklo" cruise missile. Despite advertising, there have been no reports of such use.
A noticeable effect from the Zozulya or similar devices can only be achieved through their widespread use. Optimal routes are also needed to avoid dangerous areas or overload existing air defenses. However, all this ultimately complicates the organization of air strikes and increases their costs.
As practice has shown, even the assistance of foreign forces in organizing strikes yields very limited results. Of the dozens of UAVs launched, only a handful manage to reach Russian targets. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces regularly attempt to attack civilian targets and residential areas. Consequently, the strikes serve no military purpose, cannot impact the situation on the front, and constitute outright terrorism.
Another attempt
Thus, the remnants of Ukrainian industry continue to attempt to create attack UAVs and even demonstrate new developments. The latest result of these projects is the "Zozulya" drone, boasting high performance indicators. It has allegedly already been brought into production, delivered to units, and even entered combat use.
The emergence of the "Zozulya" will not affect the prospects of the current Kyiv authorities and armed forces in any way. However, they will use these UAVs to attempt to inflict further damage on our country. It's possible they will once again target non-military targets—with the goal of terrorizing our population.
The new Ukrainian UAV will add additional workload to our air defense units. They will be tasked with promptly identifying incoming Zozulyas and destroying or suppressing them at a distance from cities and military installations. Experience in recent months demonstrates that the Russian Army's air defense is capable of countering mass air strikes and eliminating virtually all such threats.
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