Lancet-3, screen grab from Russia-24 report.
On December 22, a video documenting two recent Russian strikes with Lancet loitering munitions on Ukrainian radar systems surfaced online.
The first strike targeted a P-18 radar system. The P-18 is a 2D VHF early warning radar with a maximum range of 250 kilometers. It was developed in the Soviet Union.
The second strike hit a 36D6 radar system while it was on the move. The 36D6, which was also developed in the Soviet Union, is a 3D E/F Band surveillance radar with a maximum range of 350 kilometers. It can be also it can be s used as a reconnaissance and targeting system for the S-300 long-range air-defense system.
The ZALA Aero Group, a subsidiary of Russia’s defense giant Kalashnikov Concern, produces two versions of the loitering munition, the Izdeliye-51 and Izdeliye-52.
The Izdeliye-52 is the base version of the Lancet with an endurance of 40 minutes and a three-kilogram warhead. The Izdeliye-51 is an improved version that features a more aerodynamic design with extended X-shaped wings which enable it to stay in the air of up to an hour and carry a warhead weighting five kilograms.
Both versions are equipped with an elector-optical system that allows them to detect, track and lock on static and moving targets.
The Lancet has proven to be highly effective for use in suppression of enemy air defense operations. In the last few months, the Russian military used Lancet loitering munitions to target at least 18 radars, communications and air-defense systems in the special military operation zone in Ukraine. This number includes only documented strikes.
Lancet is a beast man, I already said that many weeks ago
3kg warhead is not enought
It’s enough to destroy the sensitive electronics in the control unit with shrapnel and concussion. Notice that they are targeting the control unit, not the array of the systems.
we see the Lancet hit the target but no destroy it. Hiting and destroying are 2 very different concepts
The shrapnel and concussion destroy the sensitive electronics of the control unit. The rest is unuseable without it.
lets shoot a little hole in your head and see if you make it. no? same principle.
Ukraine is getting more and more defenseless against drones, as their old soviet systems are running out of missiles and getting hammered. 1 Patriot and 8 NASAM-S system is not enough to fill the gap. Russia is successfully degrading the Ukrainian air defense to a point where a strategic bombing campaign will be possible.