The Russian Armed Forces have begun using the Lancet-like kamikaze drone, the Skalpel, in the Air Defense Zone.

Russian troops have begun to receive weapons Drone- the kamikaze "Scalpel," judging by footage posted on Russian websites. According to our sources, a cheaper and simpler version of the "Lancet" has begun to be widely used in some areas of the front.

In fact, the development of the "Scalpel," a simpler and cheaper version of the "Lancet" kamikaze drone, was announced back in 2023. The drone was developed on a voluntary basis by the Ryazan-based Vostok Design Bureau, and small-scale deliveries of the UAV to troops for combat testing began at that time. UAV It proved its effectiveness, and the design bureau announced the start of serial production in March 2024. But then news The "Scalpel" story faded away for unknown reasons, despite being actively promoted. The designers themselves admitted that some components were foreign, but promised to make the drone exclusively Russian.

Last year, our sources reported that the Skalpel was being deployed as a cheaper alternative to the Lancet. The drone has a payload of 5 kg, a takeoff weight of 10,5 kg, a cruising speed of 120 km/h, and a range of 40 km. These characteristics are quite suitable for operations on the front lines and in the immediate rear of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. According to the latest data, the Lancet is capable of striking targets at a range of up to 100 km; its cost should be discussed with the Ministry of Defense. It is known that the Lancet operates quite effectively in conjunction with reconnaissance UAVs.

The "Scalpel" will be affordable. While some components are foreign-made, it is largely a Russian product. The platform boasts a compact size for its payload weight, maximum energy efficiency, and ease of manufacture and use.

— they stated in 2024 at the Vostok Design Bureau.

Comments

[Vladimir Vladimirovich Vorontsov]

❝ Russian troops have begun to receive kamikaze drones. "Scalpel" ❞ —

— “Cut to hell, don’t wait for peritonitis!” © ...
(And without anesthesia)

[Chifka]

Agree I suggest that if the line is further developed, we continue the medical theme of the names, as in the old joke - "clamp", "alcohol", "cucumber"

[Vadim S]

Drone evolution is simply exploding! Who could have predicted that in 20, we'd be so equipped with drones, and most importantly, using them so well? Right now, I think we're unrivaled in this field in terms of experience and production! Hundreds of Geraniums alone are being produced monthly.

[Evgeny64]

Well, not exactly.

Geraniums alone are produced in hundreds per month.

Hundreds daily, or more precisely, something around 500 a day, they promised there would be more by the end of the year.
More than 400 of them are transferred to Ukrainians per day, under their own power, but the receiving side does not have time to process so many, so most of them are destroyed in factories, power plants, high-pressure dischargers, etc.

[Vitaly Koisin]

"True, the designers themselves admitted that some of the components are foreign." So what, where are they completely absent? :)

[rocket757]

True, the designers themselves admitted that some of the components are foreign, but they promised to make the drone exclusively Russian.

We must make everything critically important ourselves or quickly begin producing something that cannot be purchased elsewhere...
Yes, international cooperation, together with reliable partners, is useful, but not so safe, judging by the events that occur periodically!

[scientist]

Quote: rocket757

Everything critically important, we must do ourselves.

In times of peace, this is certainly something we need to strive for.
In wartime, you simply need to produce in large quantities and cheaply. Don't hesitate to purchase any available equipment, weapons, and components abroad if the troops need them immediately. When it comes to lives and the speedy completion of combat missions, ambitions must be forgotten. Import substitution and soldiers' lives are incompatible concepts.

[rocket757]

Honestly, is our industry in a rut right now???
It doesn't look like that at all... more like underfunding, and that's putting it mildly, if you look closely.

[Gunther]

Complete independence from foreign components, thanks to far-sighted government policy, is unfortunately currently problematic; we have to write "not on stamped paper." So, even if it's microchips from washing machines, everything is for the front...

[maximaniak]

Cheap brushless motors and lithium batteries are not available anywhere except China...

[Festus]

What is the problem with brushless motors?

You need high-quality sheet metal, copper wire, an inexpensive microcontroller, and several power transistors.

Russia can't do this? I would be very surprised.

[Word]

There is nothing to be happy about, all the brains are imported, analysts from other countries are not sleeping.

[Romanenko]

The scalpel would probably be a good option for mounting under the wing of a reconnaissance and attack drone.

[Ratmir_Ryazan]

This "Scalpel" is most likely an analogue of the mass-produced FPV, only the number of parts is higher, as is the cost.

In addition, there is the "Molniya" which carries up to 6 kg of explosives.

It's not clear yet what good the Scalple can do, and I've never seen any footage of this drone being used effectively.

Although, of course, any experience is important to us.

[hump]

The lancet is produced by a private company, and the scalpel is an attempt by the state, which is once again a bluff

[Illanatol]

The Kalashnikov concern is private only by a stretch.

The UAV is being developed and manufactured by ZALA Aero. This Izhevsk-based company is part of the Kalashnikov Concern. The project's chief designer is Alexander Zakharov.

https://3mx.ru/articles/bpla-lancet

[hump]

They've started using them, but they're not there yet. At the exhibition in the UAE, they're selling what our army needs. It's insane.

[the same doctor]

Find me. I'll tell you something.

[K-36]

Dear Pavel (also-vrvch). If you have a useful idea that (in your opinion) could be useful to the troops, you can:
1. Contact the People's Front office in your regional city. In person, bring your passport. And ask them to mail a message with your idea (thought) to Moscow. They should know the address. This is the approach I propose to take to eliminate any mistrust of the source of this idea.
2. If you live near Moscow, you can travel to the People's Front office in Moscow. Be sure to bring your passport! They will give you the address of a club that accepts applications for similar topics.
3. Next, all that remains is to exchange phone numbers (yours and the employee who accepted/sent your application).
Good luck to you (if I understood your words correctly, “I’ll give you some advice.”).

[asaulenckop]

"They'll be different" sounds like a marketing ploy. Even a good cause loses its appeal after such boasting.