The development will make it possible to more effectively hit manpower, UAVs and communication facilities.
Russia has developed the FBCH-04 light ammunition for kamikaze drones. It weighs several times less than an RPG grenade, while it is filled with damaging elements. Due to the reduced mass, drones with a new charge fly faster, farther and become more maneuverable. The ammunition can be used not only to destroy manpower, but also mounted on interceptor drones to destroy enemy UAVs. In addition, it is effective when hitting drone control antennas and Starlink terminals, experts say.
What is known about the new FBCH-04 ammunition
Russian industry has begun to produce and supply new specialized ammunition for kamikaze drones to the troops. Fragmentation FBG-04 are designed to hit small targets, sources familiar with the situation told Izvestia.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The charge, in addition to explosives, contains damaging elements. Its weight is 400 g, including about 300 g of explosives. For comparison, a grenade from a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher, which is often equipped with drones, weighs 2-3 kg, despite the fact that the explosive mass in it is 400 g.
— The increase in the range of ammunition is a big plus, since at the same time the range of delivery vehicles, that is, drones, will grow. And the low weight of the ammunition allows it to be installed on interceptor drones, which are now in high demand," Sergey Kurapov, an instructor in training UAV operators at Krait LLC, told Izvestia.
The expert noted that such charges may not be effective enough against armored vehicles, but their main task is to deliver accurate strikes against the most vulnerable targets. According to him, the low weight of the warhead increases the maneuverability of the drone, allowing it to quickly repeat an attack if necessary, and also increases the flight range, which makes it possible to hit important targets deep in the enemy's defenses.
There is a need for troops in small ammunition now, military expert Yuri Lyamin told Izvestia. According to him, they are especially effective in the fight against drones. Kinetic damage alone is often not enough, especially when attacking large Baba Yaga-type drones, while a small warhead can reliably disable a target. At the same time, the use of heavier ammunition in counter-drone warfare is impractical, since they reduce the speed and maneuverability of the drone. RPG grenades and other large ammunition, the expert noted, are much more effective against armored vehicles.
Photo: TASS/Alexander Polegenko
Image source: iz.ru
— Small ammunition can be used against enemy manpower. In addition, Starlink terminals or antennas for controlling drones are common targets," said Yuri Lyamin. — They do not require a large warhead.
There is another advantage of small ammunition, the expert noted, they should cost less.
"When large—scale military operations are underway, savings on one ammunition can be relatively small, but have a great effect due to the widespread use of drones," concluded Yuri Lyamin.
What kind of ammunition for drones are produced in Russia
The industry is already producing several types of special ammunition for drones. Izvestia wrote about aerosol charges, which began to be used by the troops of radiation, chemical and biological protection. They must hide fighters and vehicles from enemy surveillance. At the same time, the products can protect equipment from radar-guided weapons.
Last year, the Russian industry mastered the mass production of ammunition for tactical UAVs: unified high-explosive fragmentation and cumulative discharge.
Photo: TASS/Alexander River
Image source: iz.ru
In addition, special ammunition has been developed for drones to destroy dugouts and other fortified facilities. When they are triggered, the temperature in the affected area reaches 2 thousand degrees. Such charges are well suited for "smoking out" manpower: due to a fire, the enemy leaves the shelter. In addition, ammunition is effective for destroying field depots. In the hot season, they can create fires in forest belts where enemy fortified structures are located. They are also well suited for hitting cars — cars that are hit by ammunition burn out completely.
Ammunition has also been created for aircraft-type drones. The Pacer drone received the Vortex-M supersonic missile. It has proven itself well when used with Mi-28NM and Ka-52 attack helicopters.
And on the basis of the Kornet anti-tank missile system, a missile named X-UAV has been developed. There are two versions of it — in cumulative design and in high-explosive fragmentation.
Timofey Volkov
Fyodor Gorbunov
