MOSCOW REGION, RUSSIA – JUNE 25, 2019: A ZALA Lancet-3 attack drone developed by Kalashnikov Concern on display at the Army 2019 International Military Technical Forum at Patriot Park. Marina Lystseva/TASS
The Russian military used a new type of suicide drones in an attack on the Odessa region on May 23, according to Ukrainian military observer Alexander Kovalenko.
The drone has a design similar to that of the Lancet loitering munition, but it is much larger and carries a more powerful warhead, the military observer said in a post to the X social network, noting that the drone was one of eight used in the unusual day-time attack on Odessa.
“We don’t know its exact name yet, but it flies to Odessa and deep into the region. At the same time, it had the ability to enter our airspace at an altitude of 200 meters,” he added.
The Lancet was developed by the ZALA Aero Group, a subsidiary of Russia’s defense giant Kalashnikov Concern. The company produces two versions of the loitering munition, the Izdeliye-52 with an endurance of 30 minutes and a one-kilogram warhead and the larger Izdeliye-51 that has an endurance of 40 minutes and is armed with a warhead weighting three kilograms.
The loitering munition flies towards the designated area with a GLONASS-aided inertial navigation system. After arriving in the area, the operator utilizes an onboard electro-optical system via a two-way data-link to detect, track and lock on the target. A laser-ranging system then controls the detonation of the warhead.
Around two years ago, it was reported that Zala had developed an even larger loitering munition based on the same technology used in the Lancet with a warhead weighting 40 kilogram and a range of up to 200 kilometers. Unlike the electric powered Lancet, the new loitering munition, dubbed “Italmas,” is propelled by a piston engine.
However, the Italmas is not likely the drone used in the latest attack on Odessa. This loitering munition has a delta wing design, while the Lancet has distinctive x-shaped wings. What Kovalenko said indicates that the new Russian drone used in the attack on Odessa also has x-shaped wings.
All in all, the Russian military continues to develope its arsenal of suicide drones and loitering munitions. The special military operation zone has become the ground for research and development in this field.
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ukrainian propagandists cannot rely on reality anymore to support their work, so be prepared for their complete fabrications. no more kursk, no more immediate unconditional ceasefire, not even a slight pr victory. just complete cr*p.
does the munition also panhandle and solicit?
poohtin used a new diaper…heehehehehehehhe