At the Dubai Airshow 2025, the Russian company ZALA presented a new generation of the Lancet-E reconnaissance and strike system. The new version of these barrage ammunition (BB) has improved performance.
The system's capabilities have reportedly been expanded, and a number of operational characteristics have been improved. The system consists of a reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) ZALA Z-16E and four BB: "Product 51E", "Product 51E-IR", "Product 52E" and "Product 52E-IR". The designation "IR" (infrared) on the ammunition indicates that a thermal imaging homing head is being used. Combining all the components into a single system allows you to create a closed cycle – from target reconnaissance to high-precision weapons destruction.
Reconnaissance UAV ZALA Z-16E
The key improvement of the new export version of the Lancet-E was the introduction of machine vision algorithms integrated into the ZALA Z-16E reconnaissance UAV. This solution allows you to automatically detect, identify and track targets in real time. The Z-16E hardware has also been upgraded. In particular, the updated data transmission platform ensures stable communication over a range of up to 50 km. The upgraded Z-16E drone can stay in the air for up to 3.5 hours.
Barrage ammunition "Product 51E"
Additionally, the characteristics of the Lancet series of barrage ammunition have been improved. The range of the 51E/51E-IR Product is now up to 45 km, and the range of the 52E/52E-IR Product is up to 35 km. In addition, the flight time has almost doubled: "Product 51E/51E-IR" can now stay in the air for 50 minutes, and "Product 52E/52E-IR" – for 30 minutes.
All modifications of the BB can be equipped with four types of warheads: cumulative, cumulative fragmentation, fragmentation and thermobaric. Warheads are selected and installed depending on the type of target.
According to ZALA, as of November 2025, Lancet UAVs ( additionally here ) have destroyed more than 4,000 targets. Among them are more than 500 main battle tanks (MBT) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, including more than 60 NATO MBT (Abrams, Leopard 2 and Challenger 2). In addition, more than 260 American towed M777 howitzers, more than 100 M109 self-propelled howitzers, more than 60 Polish AHS Krab self-propelled artillery units and hundreds of other high-tech vehicles were destroyed. Among them were the American Bradley infantry fighting vehicles and HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems, which the Ukrainian Armed Forces seek to use from camouflaged and remote positions.
Another innovation in the Lancet system was the creation of a single-use launcher. The design of the launcher ensures compactness and increases the safety of the crew during combat operations.
Source: Edrmagazine
