The device can effectively destroy mines and naval drones of the enemy.
Russia has developed a small-displacement kamikaze naval drone capable of destroying unmanned enemy boats and amphibious assault boats. It is designed in river and sea versions and can carry up to 2 kg of explosives. The small size of the device allows it to be placed on the ship in large quantities. According to experts, it can effectively solve several tasks, from clearing the water area of mines to destroying enemy watercraft.
Tasks for small displacement boats
The Baltic Higher Naval School named after Ushakov has developed a crew-less kamikaze small displacement boat, sources told Izvestia in the military department.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Vitaly Ankov
Image source: iz.ru
The device, codenamed "Marlin", exists in two versions — river and sea. Rechnaya carries 1.5 kg of explosives and is designed to destroy enemy ships and amphibious assault. The marine can carry 2 kg, its task is to protect ships from unmanned enemy boats. Backup control is carried out in the same way as FPV drones. The device is small in size, and they can be placed on board the ship in large quantities.
Unmanned boats are a relatively new weapon system. They began to be used already during the Ukrainian conflict. The Ukrainian Armed Forces regularly try to use backups to attack Russian ships and coastal infrastructure. The training program for the Russian navy and army aviation has already included standards for the destruction of such backups. At the same time, similar Russian developments are being created.
—Small displacement boats can be used in minesweeping operations, as well as to destroy small floating objects," military expert Dmitry Boltenkov told Izvestia. — For example, enemy unmanned boats, so as not to waste larger and more expensive ammunition on them. Now the war at sea is changing rapidly, and we must be prepared for any surprises in the future, so as not to catch up later. Such promising developments are necessary. Moreover, the Europeans want to deploy unmanned boat patrols in the Baltic to monitor us. To counteract this, such devices are useful.
Photo: RIA Novosti/Pavel Lvov
Image source: iz.ru
Such kamikaze boats are suitable for destroying larger unmanned boats, military expert, Captain 1st rank Vasily Dandykin told Izvestia.
"BACK's coming, carrying half a ton of explosives. And this kid crashes into it, with 2 kg on board," he explained. — This gives a more guaranteed defeat than trying to hit the tank with a machine gun or risking a helicopter. A small displacement boat is guided, detonates, and the target explodes. It's quite an effective thing. They can be in service with ships, they can be placed one or two dozen on board. Drone fighters are currently being used in the air. And this is a marine option. A very promising development.
What other unmanned boats are there in Russia
Earlier, Izvestia reported on the start of mass production of a heavy multifunctional returnable marine drone based on the bezekipazhny boat Vizir. He can work unaccompanied by an operator — on artificial intelligence and program management. The device can be used for cargo delivery, reconnaissance, and it can also carry guided weapons on board. The back is 7 m long and 2.5 m wide. It can reach speeds of up to 45 km/h, and its range is up to 270 miles. A special platform allows you to work in conditions of unrest, strong wind and maintain set goals. "Vizir" is a reusable drone, it returns to its starting point after time has elapsed or after passing pre—set points.
Unmanned boat "Vizir" at the international naval salon "Fleet-2024"
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Sergey Lantyukhov
In addition, last year Russia began production of multifunctional unmanned boats that can carry 20 kg of cargo. They can be used as a kamikaze or a platform for two UAVs. The drone is controlled by actuators that change the rotation of the steering wheel or motor. They also allow you to remotely control the gas and change the direction of travel. Such a drone is operated by an operator located on the shore. He transmits all commands to the boat via radio communication channels. A compact receiver-transmitter with an antenna is mounted directly on the watercraft. The drive system control unit and a video camera are also installed on the back, which will help operators navigate the boat. The equipment includes an outboard motor, a gasoline tank, and, if necessary, explosives or a drone pad. Two FPVS or a reconnaissance drone can be placed on the new backup — they can also be controlled from the shore.
Multifunctional crewless boat
Image source: Photo: IZVESTIA/Eduard Kornienko
Izvestia also reported that the Russian Navy has begun to master a new combat training program for anti- ship protection (abbreviated as PRZ). It provides training for ship crews, as well as entire naval formations, to counter unmanned boats and unmanned aerial vehicles. The program includes exercises on shooting at small-sized surface and aerial targets. The new course provides for training the crews of individual ships first, and then formations. To combat the new threat, the crews received additional weapons — large-caliber machine guns, anti-drone and pump-action rifles, night vision devices and other special equipment.
Roman Kretsul
