Colonel Khodarenok explained why the AFU will not be able to effectively use the Black Hornet UAV, the UK will provide Ukraine with an additional package of military assistance.
The list of transferred weapons and military equipment includes microdrones-designators. This was stated by the outgoing Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson during his visit to Kiev. Military observer of the Newspaper.En" Mikhail Khodarenok was looking into whether these drones would help the APU.
Boris Johnson announced the planned deliveries of unmanned surveillance systems, barrage ammunition and many other weapons, military and special equipment (VVST). This significantly replenished the already very long list of weapons provided by the British government to Ukraine since the beginning of the special military operation.
The next package of aid from the UK worth £54 million ($64 million) may look relatively small compared to the last statement by US President Joe Biden about the amount of about $3 billion allocated to Ukraine, but nevertheless it still makes the United Kingdom one of the leading donors to Ukraine.
Moreover, this package brings the amount provided by London in the form of military and financial assistance to Ukraine since the beginning of its military operation in February this year to more than £2.3 billion. There are relatively few details about what exactly will be transferred to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the deliveries announced by Boris Johnson.
So far, it is known that 850 Black Hornet microdrons ("Black Hornet") of manual launch are included in the package. These UAVs are mainly used in conducting combat operations in conditions of dense urban development.
The drone is equipped with two cameras that allow you to take photos, as well as conduct video surveillance in real time, transmitting the image to a portable device.
The speed, depending on the modification, can reach a little more than 20 km / h, being in the air - up to 25 minutes. The UAV is capable of operating in winds up to 8 m/sec. The drone can detect targets at a distance of up to 2 km. The delivery package consists of two UAVs, a charging station and a special tablet with which the control is carried out.
"This drone, developed in Norway, is the world market leader. It is used in a number of allied countries, including the USA and the UK. The drone is used for reconnaissance and identification of targets. It is easy to operate, reliable, difficult to detect, and is particularly well suited for combat operations in urban areas," Norwegian Defense Minister Bjorn Arild Gram said in an interview with The Times.
Microdrons produced in Norway by the American company Teledyne FLIR were originally developed by Prox Dynamics.
In July 2020, it was reported that Syrian soldiers seized a Black Hornet copter belonging to the US Army. According to the American edition of The Drive, despite its small size and weight, the drone is equipped with two full-featured daytime video cameras and a thermal imager.
"Working at night, the system combines channels from all three cameras, providing a single view with high accuracy, which makes it easier for operators to identify potential threats and other objects of interest," The Drive portal article said.
It is worth noting that such drones can create known problems for the Russian army, but these problems will not be serious.
The fact is that they are effective against armies that do not have serious means of electronic warfare (EW). Therefore, they have performed well in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan and Iran. Drones are small and EW protection (unlike large drones) there is none at all. The Russian military can create multi-kilometer zones where the Hornets simply will not be able to work.
But the armies of the DPR and the LPR do not have such means. British "Black Hornets" will harm the armies of the republics, but will not help Kiev. 850 drones is very little to really influence the course of the special operation. In Afghanistan, NATO used over 10 thousand mini-drones. As you know, this did not help, and a year ago Americans shamefully fled the country. Some of the "Shershens" went to the Taliban (the organization is banned in Russia).
The opinion of the author may not coincide with the position of the editorial board.Biography of the author:
Mikhail Mikhailovich Khodarenok is a military columnist for the newspaper.
Ru", retired colonel.
He graduated from the Minsk Higher Engineering Anti-Aircraft Missile School (1976), the Military Air Defense Command Academy (1986).
Commander of the S-75 anti-aircraft missile division (1980-1983).
Deputy Commander of the anti-aircraft missile regiment (1986-1988).
Senior Officer of the General Staff of the Air Defense Forces (1988-1992).
Officer of the Main Operational Directorate of the General Staff (1992-2000).
Graduated from the Military Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Russia (1998).
Columnist of "Nezavisimaya Gazeta" (2000-2003), editor-in-chief of the newspaper "Military-Industrial Courier" (2010-2015).Mikhail Khodarenok
