A recent analysis published by the U.S. think tank shows that Russia is using a new suicide drone to fight in Ukraine. The UAV is called "Product-53", it is an upgraded version of the "Lancet" (Type 52), and its automated navigation and launch modes are more advanced.
According to information from the Russian side, Russian units have carried out limited deployments of "Product-53" on the eastern and southern fronts of Ukraine since October 21 next year. The drone is capable of identifying a wide range of targets, improving its hits. Russia is also testing a Product-53 large aircraft group attack against Ukraine's air defense system.
Product-53 "series evolved from" Lancet ". This ** inexpensive suicide drone, aka" fantasy", which has been deployed in large numbers since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. In late June, Ukrainian artillery experts told Reuters that the Lancet is another major danger in addition to Russian artillery, and that Russia has intensified its use of these in recent months.
The Lancet, which costs around $35,000, could be used by Russia to attack Ukraine, not rocket artillery. However, the "Lancet" also has certain defects, such as: its ignition mode is cumbersome and needs to be assembled locally, which has a great impact on the safety of the rocket group; With a small payload of only 3-5 kg (£6-11), it is difficult to deliver devastating attacks on critical military targets.
The "Product-53" uses rockets that can ignite quickly, which improves the survival probability of the rocket group; In addition, the drone is equipped with a more powerful autopilot system, which can indicate the direction of the aircraft with a green box on the head camera. There are reports that Russia used the "Product-53" missile to successfully strike some Ukrainian self-propelled guns and other **.
Newsweek tried to ask for help from Russia's Ministry of Defense, but received no response. The war in Ukraine has boosted the research and development of U**, and Ukraine and Russia have also increased their investment in U**. Ukraine has formed its own "unmanned units" and has developed several unmanned land vehicles of a suicidal nature on its own. Ukraine's Minister for Digital Reform, Mykhailo Fedorov, claimed that Ukraine would be "a global leader in the manufacture of unmanned aircraft."
A Russian manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles called Zara is promoting the Lancet and the Product-53 and calling it "a new, versatile, smart, versatile ** with the ability to automatically lock on and attack specific targets." The company also claims that they "have their own territory in navigation and do not need infrastructure on land and sea." ”
In addition to the "Lancet" and "Product-53," Russia also uses the "Shahed" unmanned aircraft produced in Iran, which is known for its low noise in the air and is a suicide unmanned reconnaissance aircraft known for hovering at low altitudes. They may be equipped with warheads that detonate or shatter close to the target. Russia has launched a large-scale battle against Ukraine and massively put Shahed-type drones into battle. Ukrainian forces said on Sunday that it had knocked out five Shahed drones during the night. The Shahed can be divided into two models: the slightly smaller Shahed-131 has a maximum flight range of about 550 miles, while the larger Shahed-136 has a range of about 1,200 miles.