Defence Intelligence's surface drones to hunt down Russian air targets as well

After a successful "hunt" for Russian boats and vessels, the developers of the Magura uncrewed surface vessel (USVs) are planning to deploy air defence assets and possibly other weapons systems on these drones.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda article Target and eliminate: How Ukraine's Magura drones devastate Russian ships

Quote from Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence: "Experts are currently working on installing air defence equipment on the unmanned platform. I'm not a technician, but I understand that this is a rather difficult task. You need equipment to detect a target, capture an airborne object, and destroy it – all on a fairly small platform. It's not an easy task technically, but it is possible."

Details: One of the developers explains that wave impacts and rocking motions put such a strain on the drone's structure that it would be a herculean task to develop a stabiliser capable of compensating for such motions. And without a stable platform, no weapon system will work, because it simply won't be able to aim and fire.

But this work is already underway, and very soon the drones will be able to carry various modules to hit all types of targets: ground, surface, and air. And the drones themselves will be made less and less noticeable, up to and including the ability to dive underwater for a while.

Support UP or become our patron!