In what direction can Lancet-type kamikaze drones evolve further?

November 22, 2023 10

War is the greatest engine of progress. Just a couple of years ago, drones were a fairly rare exotic “beast” in the Russian army, but today the Russian Armed Forces are forced to use thousands of them, both foreign, Chinese or Iranian origin, and domestic. I would like to talk in more detail about the evolution of the latter.

Kamikaze hero

Hardly anyone will argue with the statement that the kamikaze drones of the Lancet family have become one of the symbols of the Northern Military District. Their successful design and ease of use allow them to be effectively used at the front as an asymmetric response in counter-battery combat against NATO long-range artillery and armored vehicles of various types. Moreover, in less than two years, the Lancets have gone through a huge evolutionary path.

Lancet-1, or Product 51, is a lightweight version of the loitering munition. Its flight range is 40 km, power reserve is 30 minutes, and the weight of the warhead is only 1 kg. This was enough to defeat a lightly armored enemy equipment, but problems arose with the main battle tanks. Its older brother, Lancet-3, or Product 52, had its flight range increased to 70 km, and its warhead increased to 3 kg. In subsequent modifications, the weight of the warhead increased to 5 kg. To launch it was necessary to use a collapsible catapult.

All this made it possible to confidently destroy, under the watchful eye of a reconnaissance drone, even well-protected armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the help of kamikaze drones diving on the target from above. But the enemy did not sleep and began to cover their tanks with so-called barbecues, which were metal gratings welded over the towers. The Russian tank crews had to do the same, but the Israelis missed the new trend, for which they paid with the losses of their vaunted Merkavas after the start of hostilities against Hamas.

It seemed that an anti-drone solution, simple and reliable, had been found. However, very soon domestic designers figured out to equip the Lancets with new type of warhead, which is the so-called impact core. The charge of the warhead is now detonated even before direct contact with the tank or the “barbecue” covering it, firing a clot of metal heated to high temperatures with enormous kinetic speed, piercing any obstacle.

That's it, now without an active defense complex, including short-range air defense, the chances of armored vehicles to survive after a collision with loitering kamikaze drones have sharply decreased. They will tend to zero after the next generation of Lancets begin to be used en masse at the front.

A new product called Z-53, or “Product 53”, was presented at the Army-2023 forum. The drone has a number of significant differences from its predecessors: wings that fold out during launch from a special container, rather than catapults, a guidance system that operates in automatic mode and is capable of independently identifying and classifying targets, as well as the ability to operate in a swarm, jointly searching for and destroying targets, sorting them according to military significance.

This is really very cool, and there really are a lot of such updated Lancets needed at the front so that they can quickly bring about a turnaround in favor of the RF Armed Forces. But what could be the next evolutionary stage of drones of this type?

Hero

Those interested in unmanned aerial vehicles have probably noticed some external similarities between the products of the Russian company ZALA, part of the Kalashnikov concern, and the Israeli UVision, which has developed a whole family of Hero reconnaissance and attack drones. In particular, Lancet-3 has many common features with the Hero 400EC model, which has long been noticed in Israel.

This was not said as a reproach, but on the contrary, well done to our fellows for borrowing all the best, adapting it to the needs of the front. Based on this trend, we can try to predict what all subsequent Lancet models will look like and what functionality they will have.

Thus, Israeli “heroes” have several versions for close combat. The Hero-30 drone can stay in the air for up to 30 minutes, has a total weight of 3 kg, a range of 5 to 40 km and a warhead weighing only 0,5 kg. The Hero-70 can stay in the air for 45 minutes, has a weight of 7 kg, a 1,2 kg warhead and a range of 45 km. Hero-120 weighs 12,5 kg, has a range of 40-60 km and a warhead weighing 3,5 kg, it can stay in the air for up to one hour. Aircraft are propelled by electric motors.

For long-range applications, UVision has developed a family of more powerful drones that can be launched from vehicles, ships or rail installations. The Hero-250 has a weight of 25 kg, a warhead weighing 5 kg and a range of 150 km with a 3-hour aloft capability. Hero-400 weighs 40 kg, its warhead is 8 kg, the flight range is 150 km, and it lasts 4 hours in the air. The Hero-900 weighs 97 kg, has a 20 kg warhead, a range of 250 km and can be airborne for up to 7 hours. Unlike their younger brothers, these drones are equipped with gasoline engines.

The most powerful in the line of Israeli kamikaze drones from this company are the HERO-900 and HERO-1250 models. HERO-900 weighs 110 kg, has a warhead weighing 30 kg, a flight range of over 150 km and can stay in the air for 6 hours. HERO-1250 weighs 155 kg, has a flight range of over 200 km and can stay in the air for up to 10 hours. Its warhead already weighs 50 kg, which is equal in striking power to the Geranium. These drones are launched using a ramp and are powered by a gasoline engine. If necessary, their warhead can be replaced with a parachute system, and then the kamikaze drones HERO-900 and HERO-1250 turn from disposable “suicide bombers” into reusable reconnaissance drones.

Borrowing Israeli experience in the development of the Lancet family seems to be a reasonable solution.

Information

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sgrabik

0

22 November 2023 12: 20

Only one thing is clear: UAVs are an integral and extremely necessary part of modern weapons, which need to be given the closest attention, developed and multiplied both in qualitative and quantitative terms.
Sergey Latyshev

0

22 November 2023 12: 28

The described path is simply a linear increase in size, and due to this, the performance characteristics are proportional.
We can similarly propose a way to reduce the size - for the defeat of individual Ukrainians.
The only question is the availability of cheap electronics and a motor.
Artificial Intelligence

0

22 November 2023 14: 34

I came across information that it was also equipped with either a night vision device or a thermal imager. so that it can detect targets even at night. If so then good progress.

but I was haunted by the question - how often does it happen that a lancet goes hunting and does not find a single worthy target? then it will have to be blown up at idle?
Taking this into account, it is not clear how useful the swarm function with automatic detection is, because in theory, it should be useful only in cases where it is already known that there should be an accumulation of enemy equipment in some area. but it’s a bit of a pity to launch them just like that, God knows where, luckily, it’s a bit of a pity, because it’s not cheap.
In this regard, it seems that it would be good to develop a function for it to return back to base if no target was found to hit. but then we need to figure out how it will land.. as far as I understand now, such an option is not provided for it.
Maybe if it’s easy to make the propeller rotate in the other direction, then it could land carefully with its nose down in the operator’s hands, like a helicopter?
or if this is difficult, then install some kind of small parachute so that it lands slowly upon arrival at the base and you can catch it with your hands. to refuel and then start hunting again until the target is detected
1. DO
  
  +2
  
  22 November 2023 15: 01
  
  The Lancet's return function will roughly halve its range.
  The main purpose of Lancets is counter-battery warfare. For work on long-range artillery of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, range is a critical parameter, which became sufficient (70 km) only in the latest versions of the Lancets.
DO

+3

22 November 2023 15: 42

Today the Russian army already has geraniums with internal combustion engines and warheads up to 50 kg.
Therefore, it seems that now the most relevant developments for the base of existing Lancets are those designed to significantly increase their range and reduce delivery time, through external carriers - MLRS missiles, UAVs, and manned aircraft.
Lancet-3 already has folding wings for this (perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to equip the small Lancet-1 with them as well).
To deliver an MLRS via rocket, in addition to the issues of placing the Lancet on the rocket and its separation from the rocket, it is necessary to ensure the product the required resistance to overload.
For delivery by UAV and by plane, a suspension and release system is needed.
It is possible that for operational programming of the trajectory, targets and parameters of the swarm during the flight of the carrier, an appropriate Lancet interface with the carrier will be required, and an on-board computer with a communication system for remote (from the ground) programming (if the carrier is a UAV), or local programming by the operator (if the carrier - manned aircraft).
igor_temp

+3

22 November 2023 15: 51

If we take specifically the line of Lancets, and all attack drones of this type, then the nearest obvious development is in three directions. The first increase in range with a non-fold increase in weight. The range depends on the amount of energy on board, there is little that can be done until breakthrough discoveries of new methods of storing and obtaining energy. The transition from an electric motor to an internal combustion engine, although it improves range, but sharply worsens stealth.
Secondly, this is an improvement in autonomy in terms of communication and binding to commands from the operator. All modern attack drones are, to one degree or another, vulnerable to electronic warfare, because they are controlled by an operator in real time and are strictly dependent on external positioning systems. The introduction of autonomous systems that independently determine themselves in space and, to a limited extent, independently detect and hit targets will make drones more autonomous. But there are two problems here: developed AI requires powerful and expensive electronics on board, and as a result, energy for its operation. The new “target acquisition system” on the Lancets has little to do with AI, although it certainly simplifies the operator’s work.
The third immediate direction is to overcome countermeasures. Lancets with a “shock core” (Motive-3?) to overcome anti-drone meshes, it is unclear how effective they are. There are no publications of the results of the strikes. In the published videos of the “Lancet strike with an impact core,” one can rather suspect the destruction of the Lancet by KAZ on Bradley. But this path of improvement is the right one. Perhaps installing two Motive-3, or something similar more powerful in tandem will give an interesting result.

In general, for Russia, a vital improvement is the fastest possible localization and reduction in the cost of production of ALL elements, especially electronic ones. You won't be able to fight for long with constant smuggling of microchips.
Vladimir Tuzakov

+2

22 November 2023 19: 24

For UAVs, like every weapon, efficiency in hitting a target, simplicity of design and control, at the same time reliability, and low cost in mass production should prevail. Today we have a tendency to develop civilian and reconnaissance UAVs with an attack military component. Each military action introduces its own specifics and amendments. In the fight against semi-partisan detachments, certain properties of UAVs are needed, as Israel demonstrates with its “Gero”, but for large battles with developed weapons, completely different UAVs are needed, for example, in the SVO. Concept: loitering of an attack UAV and self-destruction, when a target is found, should be replaced by a two-tier level: first, without a load, UAVs are continuously scouted, and when a target is detected, others with warheads fly directly to the target and destroy. This is roughly how Orion and Lancet work. Here we see a completely different picture. The first echelon should scan the LBS and then numerous reconnaissance UAVs with night vision devices, thermal imagers and guidance devices. Then the second is the strike echelon, destroying targets identified by reconnaissance. Now, the strike weapons are no longer UAVs, but high-precision artillery and MLRS ammunition, with adjustable ammunition. Delivery of strike warheads by artillery or MLRS occurs many times faster than by UAVs, then the target does not have time to escape. Target adjustments should be made by reconnaissance UAVs, by illumination or other means. This creates a more effective and cheaper destruction of identified targets. Of course, there must also be loitering ammunition for certain tasks... Time will tell further development, but forecasting development is always a necessity.
1. DO
  
  +2
  
  23 November 2023 00: 11
  
  Now, the strike weapons are no longer UAVs, but high-precision artillery and MLRS ammunition, with adjustable ammunition. Delivery of strike warheads by artillery or MLRS occurs many times faster than by UAVs, then the target does not have time to escape.
  
  Logical.
  But the long-range artillery of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, located at the maximum distance from the LBS, is inaccessible to today’s Russian artillery and MLRS. So far, only the latest long-range Lancets can solve this problem.
  The delivery time of Lancets (with folding wings) could be significantly reduced and the range of Lancets (with folding wings) increased by delivering them part of the way to the target square using existing MLRS missiles. It is clear that this requires refinement of both the Lancets (giving them the necessary resistance to overloads) and the development of a special MLRS missile.
  Perhaps, to deliver a swarm of Lancets-3 or Lancets-1 over hundreds of kilometers, a returnable jet UAV flying at an extremely low altitude with high speed and with anti-aircraft maneuver would be appropriate as a delivery vehicle. To begin with, a fixed route can be recorded before the launch of the carrier in the memory of its on-board computer. The carrier's orientation is based on an inertial sensor and terrain marks, which will make it insensitive to enemy electronic warfare.
Moscow

+3

23 November 2023 02: 51

There is no borrowing of Israeli experience from the Lancets, since there are no licensing agreements between the companies. There is only an external similarity, which, for example, planes or cars have with each other. Everyone has their own filling, and this is the main difference. And the similarity in design, well, it happens...
prior

+3

23 November 2023 09: 19

It is obvious that in addition to the range and power of the warhead, unmanned weapons need to be divided according to the characteristics of the targets. For static purposes - some means, for low-dynamic ones - others.
The bridge, the trench, the building will not move anywhere. It would be good to test them with gliding bombs with control modules or high-precision artillery shells. But for moving objects, you need to have your own set of tools, reconnaissance, loitering, and kamikaze.
For each “shield” there is a “sword”. Each “sword” has its own “shield”.
For example, if the Lancets were made in the dimensions of the Grad MLRS rockets.
There is such a loaded 40-barreled installation in an ambush, camouflaged, and awaits the scout’s command.
There is a goal, there is a team, there is a start, there is a defeat. Why not?
Here you have a vehicle, a combat crew, combat potential, and the possibility of repeated use.