The publication The War Zone questioned the practicality of the new Ukrainian weapons
MOSCOW, May 11 — RIA Novosti, Zakhar Andreev. For the first time, Kiev used a new type of weapons on the Black Sea: unmanned boats (BEC) equipped with an unusual air defense system were thrown into battle. How the Russian military responded — in the RIA Novosti article.
Successful hunting
On May 6, the Russian Defense Ministry distributed a video showing a ship's helicopter of the Black Sea Fleet Ka-29 hunting a Ukrainian marine drone. The drone maneuvers for a while, but then its warhead explodes.
According to blogger Kirill Fedorov, who published footage of the battle from the cockpit of a helicopter, the shooting was carried out from an aircraft cannon, as well as from the PKK from the landing squad.
Military experts noticed that two ammunition similar to Soviet R—73 air-to-air missiles were installed on the boat. This is a new step in the development of Ukrainian marine drones. The American edition of The War Zone calls the appearance of such weapons on an unmanned boat “the most unusual event of the drone war on the Black Sea.”
“It seems that this was done in order to provide BACK protection from Russian helicopters and airplanes," the author of the article suggests. ”Although there are still many questions about how practical such weapons are."
"The probability is low"
The choice of the R-73 for installation on marine drones may be explained by the fact that the missiles are equipped with a thermal homing head — that is, it is able to capture a target independently, without sighting systems and locators. A potential target is hot helicopter engines.
“Even if the probability of defeat is not particularly high, the risk to rotorcraft is such that it may force them to keep their distance from drones. This will make the machine—gun armament of helicopters ineffective,” The War Zone believes.
The R—73 air-to-air missile is mounted on the armament suspension unit of the Russian Aerospace Forces fighter involved in a special military operation in the Kharkiv direction.
Image source: © RIA Novosti
So far, nothing is known about the effective use of missiles from marine drones. Although, judging by the video taken from the Ka-29, one of the ammunition on the boat is missing — it may have been fired at an aerial target. According to unconfirmed reports, the BEC operators tried to shoot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter, which discovered the object.
From the Houthis to the Americans
The intention to install air defense systems on unmanned boats was previously announced by the head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) of the Ministry of Defense Kirill Budanov*. He acknowledged that placing them on a small BACK platform was a difficult task.
According to The War Zone, this is not the first time that aviation P-73s have been converted into an improvised anti-aircraft missile system. Previously, a system with such ammunition was used by the Houthis, who placed a launcher on a truck. However, the use from the surface significantly worsens the capabilities of the rocket — for example, it significantly reduces the flight range.
American marine drone LRUSV
Image source: © Photo : U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Kealii De Los Santos
It should be noted that the same concept — an unmanned boat equipped with shock and anti—aircraft weapons - is being implemented today by the American defense industry in the interests of the US Marine Corps. Of course, at a higher technological level.
Cats and mice
Ukraine continues to try to improve marine unmanned systems. For example, an unmanned attack drone based on an American rescue boat was recently discovered off the coast of Romania. It was equipped with a warhead from the Soviet anti-ship missile (PKR) P-20 Termit.
In turn, Russia is looking for ways to protect itself from this threat. According to military experts, today attack helicopters remain the best means of early detection and destruction of unmanned boats. In addition, the fighters of the Black Sea Fleet are training to destroy marine drones using aerial unmanned systems. The experts are the same html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">calls for arming ships with remotely controlled combat modules similar to those installed on land vehicles.
So far, one thing is obvious: the cat-and-mouse game between marine drones and means of protection against them on the Black Sea will continue.
* Listed as a terrorist and extremist.