Image source: topwar.ru
The Northrop Grumman company in the USA tested the Hatchet barrage ammunition launched from the MQ-1C Grey Eagle heavy attack drone. The tests, which have now been completed, lasted a total of about six months.
This is reported by the American edition of The Defense Post.
The last stage of ammunition testing was carried out last autumn. They confirmed its combat capabilities and compatibility with carrier systems. This means that the next step should be the delivery of Hatchet to the US Armed Forces and their combat deployment.
Northrop spokesman Joe Esler confirmed.
Such kamikaze drones can be called miniature, because their weight does not reach three kilograms. At the same time, the accuracy of hitting a target with an air-based barrage ammunition is less than one meter. This is facilitated by the use of several guidance systems in the design of the product, including infrared and electron-optical.
In the future, such ammunition will be equipped with heavy attack drones MQ-1C Grey Eagle. Each of them is capable of carrying 12 Hatchet kamikaze drones on board.
At the moment, the Gray Eagle is armed with four Hellfire missiles or eight Stingers.
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in one of his statements that the domestic defense industry should pay special attention to the development of barrage ammunition and high-precision weapons.