The Ukrainian military assessed the strengths and weaknesses of the Russian Lancets

November 28, 2023 6

Units of the RF Armed Forces are intensively using kamikaze UAVs (loitering munitions) of the Lancet family in the air defense zone on Ukrainian territory. Such activity forced the Ukrainian Armed Forces to study the strengths and weaknesses of this weapon; their assessment was made public and is of interest.

According to a document that appeared on the Internet, the Ukrainian side attributed six features to the strengths of the Lancets. Since the device is small in size and made of plastic and carbon fiber, it has a small effective reflective surface, which complicates the task of air defense to detect and neutralize it. The significant flight altitude (up to 5000 meters) and low noise level due to the electric motor make it difficult to detect by visual observation posts. High speed when diving on a target (up to 300 km/h) seriously limits the response to the threat.

The use of different guidance systems (coordinate, optical-electronic and combined) complicates the impact on it using electronic warfare/repair equipment and increases the accuracy of its hitting the target. The use of secure communication channels (encryption algorithms are used), which further complicates its interception using electronic warfare/electronic warfare equipment. Increasing the range from 40 to 70-100 km through the use of a UAV repeater, which allows you to hit targets at a greater distance.

As for the weaknesses of the Lancets, only five features were identified. The low flight speed of 80-110 km/h allows you to fire at the Lancet devices from small arms (up to an altitude of 800 meters), and using the ZU 23-2 at high altitudes. The use of satellite navigation systems will make it possible to use electronic warfare/electronic warfare to influence devices by jamming to cancel GNSS coordinates.

The use of a video channel for guidance will allow the use of electronic warfare/electronic warfare on ground-based signal receivers and UAV signal repeaters. Lack of target analysis equipment, which allows the use of false targets (inflatable and wooden tanks and other “weapons”). The use of a contact fuse in a warhead allows the use of lattice screens for counteraction.

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Just a cat

+1

28 November 2023 20: 50

rather, the Ukrainian “military” explained why the Little Russians have still not been able to build their own state. strengths and weaknesses are mutually exclusive.
Afinogen

+4

28 November 2023 21: 52

The low flight speed of 80-110 km/h allows you to fire at the Lancet devices from small arms (up to a height of 800 meters),

I'll say this. Allows you to fire, but does not allow you to hit. It's like winning the jackpot in the lottery. They won't see him or hear him. The only option I see is to get drunk on vodka and start shooting upwards, accidentally getting hit. The same thing when using the ZU 23-2, to open fire you need to see or at least hear the target.
DO

+3

28 November 2023 22: 26

The low flight speed of 80-110 km/h allows you to fire at the Lancet devices from small arms (up to an altitude of 800 meters), and using the ZU 23-2 at high altitudes.

As noted here, to get out of the range of the shooter, the Lancet just needs to fly higher.
Low speed actually results in another drawback - a long time to reach the target at maximum range. These are tens of minutes, during which a mobile target can travel quite far, and there may be enough time to camouflage it. This disadvantage can be significantly reduced by modifying the Lancet for its rapid delivery to the required square using an MLRS rocket, and delivering a swarm of Lancets by a jet drone, hundreds of kilometers deep behind enemy lines.
And as for anti-aircraft systems, they theoretically shoot down everything that flies. In the case of the Lancets, the Western partners of the Ukrainian Armed Forces only need to select and install the most suitable complex, and train personnel. However, in any case, the low visibility of Lancets on radar makes them difficult to detect.

The use of satellite navigation systems will make it possible to use electronic warfare/electronic warfare to influence devices by jamming to cancel GNSS coordinates.

The latest versions of the Lancets have the option of orientation by terrain marks, which makes the Lancet insensitive to jamming of the satellite positioning system.

The use of a video channel for guidance will allow the use of electronic warfare/electronic warfare on ground-based signal receivers and UAV signal repeaters.

The latest versions of the Lancet have the option of autonomously detecting targets, selecting a priority target, and attacking it without operator participation.

Lack of target analysis equipment, which allows the use of false targets (inflatable and wooden tanks and other “weapons”).

This is a temporary shortcoming of the target detection program, and not “Lack of target analysis equipment,” if it is a significant problem at all. Or is it the perfection of a decoy layout. In the latter case, it may be difficult, including for humans, to recognize the target as false by any means of optical/infrared observation.

The use of a contact fuse in a warhead allows the use of lattice screens for counteraction.

Again, new Lancets have been announced with an impact core that penetrates protective visors and mesh.
1. sgrabik
  
  +1
  
  29 November 2023 11: 05
  
  In any case, work on modernization and further improvement of the combat characteristics and capabilities of the Lancet continues, the designers are carefully monitoring and working to eliminate its weaknesses, so that in the near future we will see more than one improved and modernized version of these UAVs.
VladimirNET

0

29 November 2023 00: 52

It's time to produce night lancets - in black (gray) color!
The comment was deleted.
Carlos Hall

0

30 November 2023 18: 30

This is undoubtedly Russia's main weapon in this war, which brings the best results.