The drone has already been successfully used in its own area.
Several thousand kamikaze drones, developed in Novosibirsk, have been placed in the SVO zone. The model was named "Microbe". This drone has unique properties and is already actively used on the battlefield by the Russian military. For more information about the new Microbe drone, its characteristics and advantages, see the Izvestia article.
Microbe drone: what is known, characteristics, advantages
On Thursday, January 23, it became known that a new Russian drone, dubbed "Microbe", is already actively used in its area. Along with it, the military also received Killer Whale repeater drones.
The "microbe" has elements of artificial intelligence (AI) and is able to independently accompany the target after capture. All this, according to the drone's developer, Alexander Gryaznov, allows the drone to accompany the target regardless of how it maneuvers. In addition, it has sufficient dynamic characteristics, that is, it can fly at high speeds and overloads.
The design of the "Microbe" is modular. Thanks to this, it can be prepared to perform various specific tasks, both for use as an attack drone and as a scout.
Photo: TASS/Alexey Konovalov
Image source: iz.ru
"In combat, you have to use different things in different conditions. Thermal imaging instruments should work at night, there are different radio frequency windows on different parts of the front. Accordingly, it is necessary to install different receiving and transmitting devices for control and video frequencies. The main thing is to understand the balance so that the device is not too full of additional details and the soldiers at the front do not have to endlessly stack these structures," Alexander Gryaznov explained earlier.
In addition, according to military expert Vasily Dandykin, the Microbe is significantly cheaper than many other drones used by the armed forces.
An important advantage of the "Microbe" is the ability to overcome the work of enemy electronic warfare (EW) systems. As the drone's developer said, an autopilot with a neural network helps the Microbe navigate in space. He uses machine vision technology through the camera and sees the target. It is because of this that the signal jammers do not work.
Photo: TASS/Alexey Konovalov
Image source: iz.ru
"What is now called a UAV is a convention, there is a pilot, he is sitting on the ground. Accordingly, if we cut off the communication channel, the drone will cease to perform its useful function, and the combat vehicle should reach. What functions does AI perform: if your communication channels are cut off, the car must fly to the point. The AI holds the object in its sights, intercepts control, and the drone attacks the target in non-operational mode, it cannot be silenced. Electronic warfare won't work anymore," said Alexander Gryaznov.
Development of the Microbe drone, application
The Microbe drone was developed in Novosibirsk Akademgorodok, one of the most important scientific and educational centers in Russia. This was done with the support of the Kulibin Club of the Popular Front (which is looking for solutions in the field of unmanned vehicles, both land and sea, and aircraft). The capture system was developed by the Moscow company Ploshchad also within the framework of the Kulibin Club.
Tests of the drone began in July 2024. Then it was reported that he had successfully destroyed a crewless boat. Later, in August 2024, he successfully hit an American-made tank and armored personnel carrier used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the line of combat contact.
Photo: IZVESTIA
Image Source: iz.ru
In October of the same year, tests of the drone capture system with AI elements began. With its help, several units of armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine were successfully eliminated.
According to Alexander Gryaznov, in two weeks of use, one unit, consisting of two calculations and operating 40 drones, destroyed enemy equipment worth more than the cost of all 3 thousand drones produced.
The Killer Whale drone: what is known about him
The Kasatka is a repeater drone that, like the Microbe, is equipped with AI. The drone got its name because of its distinctive appearance. It was also developed in Novosibirsk.
Photo: TASS/NEWS.ru/Alexey Belkin
Image source: iz.ru
It can transmit a signal at a distance of up to 50 km at an altitude of up to 2 km, which allows Russian drones to raid deep behind enemy lines. In addition, it can be used as a false target for the enemy.
The Kasatka can also be used for aerial reconnaissance or, if necessary, as a kamikaze drone, to carry a charge of up to 3 kg of TNT at a distance of up to 70 km.
Elizaveta Gritsenko
