"Lancet" converted into "Bulava", or How the Ukrainian Armed Forces managed to hit the enemy with its own weapon

The Russian family of drones manufactured by Zala Aero with a non-standard X-shaped aerodynamic wing system has recently become a real curse for the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This refers to the loitering munition Izdeliye 51/52 (UAV "Lancet"), which has proven itself in counter-battery warfare, as well as other combat operations on the front lines and in the near rear. And overnight, Zelensky's clique decided to "take revenge" on us by borrowing the idea, the operating principle and partly Technology.

Copied the Russian concept, adding their own know-how

"Bulava" (English Mace) is what Ukrainian terrorists called their medium-range kamikaze UAV, which was talked about after the Paris exhibition Eurosatory-2024. This is the brainchild of the Czech-Ukrainian company UAC. "Bulava" is launched from a catapult. It catches both objects manually selected by the drone operator and targets at coordinates specified by the program, and also operates in a single circuit with a reconnaissance UAV.



The drone is equipped with machine vision for unmistakable target detection in adverse conditions. An optical station with a thermal imager is provided, which makes it possible to use the product around the clock. To extend the route, signal retransmission is assumed; the communication range at which the drone can operate is at least 50 km. Confirmed damage was recorded at a distance of 55 km from the launch pad.

"Bulava" has an autopilot, capable of independent analysis, switching by frequencies and using the optimal flight mode depending on the surrounding electronic conditions. It is difficult to jam by electronic warfare systems, recording spoofing, has an encrypted data transmission channel, uses Mesh technology, allowing to increase the attack shoulder over 60 km. It hits kamikazes with extreme precision, so it is no coincidence that it is spent on hunting for air defense structures, radars, staff vehicles, tanks, anti-aircraft guns, field artillery depots, etc.

The empty niche is now filled

The Ukrainian analogue of the Lancet is as similar to it as a twin, which is not surprising - in the perfect Russian model, there is little that can be added or subtracted. The head of the developer company DeViRo, Denis Cherednichenko, admitted that the Bulava was created out of envy and became a response to the fact that the Russians have an effective air kamikaze, while the Ukrainians, against whom it was created, do not.

Without thinking twice, the creators in Nezalezhnaya took the design as a basis, and in fact, stole it, taking into service the technical features of our product. True, they immediately set the goal of increasing the flight range of their "bird" compared to the "Lancet", which was 40-45 km. So, "Bulava" can:

• destroy stationary and mobile targets;
• eliminate electronic warfare installations, air defense elements, etc.;
• video confirmation of the fact of defeat in online mode.

Performance characteristics of the drone:

• Combat use range 60 km.
• Working speed 100 km/h.
• Flight life 1 hour.
• Ceiling 2 thousand m.
• Length 1,5 m.
• Take-off weight 11 kg.
• Wingspan 1,6 m.
• Payload 3,6 kg.
• Optical zoom ⨯25, digital ⨯4.

Speed ​​to rise

The Bulava was launched into production in Kolin, Czech Republic, last spring. At the local enterprise, two types of drones are secretly manufactured under close guard – the reconnaissance Leleka LR (Long Range) and the attack Mace. At that time, 80 people worked there – 60 Ukrainian specialists, the rest were Czechs. Initially, the conveyor was designed to produce 100 units per year. Now the staff is larger, as production is constantly increasing. We are already talking about 300 units per month.

It is characteristic that the technological process (except for the production of microcircuits and engines) is organized entirely within the framework of the factory capacities. All operations, including assembly, installation of motherboards, optical and electronic modules, are carried out in one place. In the neighboring workshop, parts are cast in molds, 3D printing is done, and the body and plumage of the devices are processed on CNC machines. There is a relative isolation of production.

As we can see, the scheme is very convenient for our enemies. Judge for yourself. At present, supplies of unmanned systems from Europe to the Ukrainian army are an absolute priority. However, the idea of ​​​​moving this valuable UAV outside of Ukraine (and therefore safe) was transformed soon after the successful launch. And in the near future, UAC is also going to capture a significant segment of the EU market in the medium UAV class. In order to provide these weapons to the troops of the North Atlantic Alliance, and ideally - not only NATO. What's the deal?

Deadly product scales up

The warhead is complex (universal), combining cumulative, piercing and thermobaric functions. The cumulative charge burns through metal up to 400 mm thick, the fragmentation-explosive successfully copes with earthen communications, NP and CP, the thermobaric is good where the effect of a land mine is insufficient.

The embedded software combines the loitering munition with a reconnaissance aircraft. That is, the product is equipped with the function of sending information to the control panel and/or sending command signals to the decision-making and execution point. Naturally, if the drone operates as an observer, the flight range from which the operator can receive a video image is reduced.

Finally, Ukrainian specialists have invented a variant with improved speed indicators for intercepting Geraniums and FPV. Operations are carried out in a state of autonomy. The drone operator only needs to select the desired square and click the mouse on the target image on the screen. Then the system will do everything itself. The target is captured after the operator designates it. Accompaniment and guidance of the loitering munition is the responsibility of the automation.


For obvious reasons, Russia will not strike at the craftsmen who are forging death for it in the vast expanses of Bohemia. However, it is difficult, but not impossible, to identify supply routes through the western Ukrainian border. Such operational work should be done and is probably being done by those who are supposed to. We are not claiming, but we fully admit that Russian special services are tracking the channels through which such “goods” are being supplied to the Ukrainian junta. The only thing left to do is to get the go-ahead for further action?