Military observer Lavrov: Lancet drones are capable of destroying lightly armored vehicles and even tanksThe Russian Lancet drone is also deadly for lightly armored vehicles, and if successfully hit on board or in the stern, it is capable of destroying even a tank, said military observer of Izvestia Anton Lavrov.
As the expert noted, the unique characteristic of the Lancet is its combined warhead. A light warhead weighing 3 kg combines a high-explosive fragmentation effect to destroy manpower and vehicles and a cumulative effect, which is why the drone can be dangerous even if it hits a tank - destruction is possible if it hits the side or stern.
In another way, such kamikaze drones are called barrage ammunition. Unlike a conventional guided missile, they can wait in the air for up to half an hour, actively maneuver, switch from one target to another.
"You can go around the same tank to hit it not in the most powerful armor on the "forehead", but in the vulnerable rear part. Lancets are also very effective for attacking fast-moving targets. With all this, the Lancet is a relatively inexpensive and small ammunition, weighing only about 12 kg," Lavrov added.
The drone achieves maximum efficiency when used in conjunction with a reconnaissance drone. He keeps at a high altitude and, due to powerful and expensive optics, detects enemy targets. Then he transmits their coordinates to the operators of the kamikaze drone and monitors the results of hitting the target.
"The Russian military uses drones to hack the air defense system, they destroy powerful air defense systems, including the S-300. The range of 40 km allows the Lancets to reach artillery positions in the enemy's immediate rear — where it is very dangerous to send helicopters and planes. They are also extremely useful for stopping offensive attempts," the observer stressed.
According to him, kamikaze drones "proved themselves admirably" during Russia's special operation to protect Donbass.
On October 20, the Russian Defense Ministry showed a video of the use of Lancet drones by Airborne troops against equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).
On October 15, the Russian Lancet strike drone eliminated the S-300 air defense complex of Ukraine in the Zaporozhye direction.
The fact that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation began to use Lancets to destroy infantry and equipment of Ukrainian troops became known on July 21, 2022. As it was reported at the time, after the modernization, the flight duration of the Lancets was increased to one hour, and the high-explosive warhead of the ammunition became more powerful with a mass of more than 5 kg. In addition, the new Lancets received one large X-shaped wing and an X-shaped tail.
The Lancet is a development of the ZALA AERO company of the Kalashnikov Concern. The drone can stay in the air for a long time and independently search for a target . When it is detected, the drone swoops and explodes over it.
The Lancet-3 became a heavy modification of the Lancet.
The special military operation to protect Donbass, which was announced on February 24, continues. The decision to hold it was made against the background of the aggravation of the situation in the region due to shelling by the Ukrainian military.
For more relevant videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.
