Ukraine Debuts World's First Anti-Aircraft Missile-Armed Navy Drone

Ukraine's uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) have dominated Black Sea battles, but lacked defense against aircraft. Now, a new USV armed with repurposed air-to-air missiles changes the game.

Labnetdm 🕘 05/24/2024

Drones Transform Naval Warfare: The war in Ukraine solidified the transformative power of drones in warfare, especially in the maritime domain. Ukraine's explosive USVs challenged preconceptions and revolutionized naval combat.

New Weapon for Old Threat: These USVs were vulnerable to aircraft, particularly helicopter gunfire. The new missile-armed USVs might make Russian pilots wary of approaching.

First of its Kind: This is the first operational air-defense USV globally. While other countries explored similar concepts, Ukraine's is the first deployed in combat.

Missile Details: The new USV boasts a wider hull to carry two side-by-side R-73 air-air missiles. This reflects a broader trend of Ukraine adapting existing missiles for new systems. Similar "FrankenSAM" adaptations have been seen on land-based Osa air-defense systems.

R-73 Missiles: Potent but Limited Range: While not the latest technology, the R-73 (AA-11 Archer) missiles remain potent. Originally designed for MiG-29 and Su-27 fighters, these missiles offered exceptional agility and seeker capabilities. However, surface launch comes at a cost – the missile's range will be roughly halved compared to air launch, limiting it to around 15 kilometers (9 miles). The actual engagement range will likely be determined by the USV's detection capabilities.

Potential Impact: These missiles provide self-defense against Russian aircraft, allowing the USVs to operate more freely. A mix of "FrankenSAM" USVs with regular USVs could significantly hinder Russian attempts to interdict them.

Offensive Potential? The possibility of using these USVs offensively, to ambush Russian aircraft taking off or landing in Crimea, is also intriguing. There might already be evidence of such tactics being employed.

Global Influence: Ukraine's innovation is inspiring USV manufacturers worldwide. Proposals for air defense-equipped USVs, which existed before the war, are likely to be taken much more seriously now.