The Lancet unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), with its cutting-edge aviation technologies and high-precision assault capabilities, is regarded as one of the most formidable adversaries of the Ukrainian air defence system.
According to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti, the Lancet drone had just destroyed the S-300 air defence system in Zaporozhye, Ukraine. Russian media released a video of a suicide drone flying near its target and detonating.The Kalashnikov defence business affiliate ZALA Aero Group created the Lancet UAV with the intention of conducting surveillance and attacking military targets. During the military expo ARMY-2019, which was hosted in Moscow, Russia, in June 2019, this UAV made its debut in front of the general public.
The Lancet UAV has a warhead that weighs 3 kg and weights 12 kg. This UAV can fly for up to 40 minutes at a speed of 110 km/h, capable of destroying targets within a 40 km radius. It can be fitted with a high-explosive HE warhead while in a combat mode. The Lancet UAV has a cross-shaped wing and an X-shaped tail that allow it to retain the required lift index and give it the flexibility it needs for both air control and flight speed.
The Lancet UAV can accelerate up to 300 km/h, which gives it the power to quickly demolish mortars, armoured vehicles, and artillery positions as well as the life force of the enemy.
The opto-electronic system aboard the Lancet, a remote-controlled UAV, allows for precise target observation, tracking, and guiding. This drone also has a communication channel that transmits photos of the target and makes it possible to confirm that the target has been hit.
In case of loss of communication with the control center, the Lancet UAV will switch to automatic targeting and attack mode. Thanks to this feature, when being jammed by the enemy, the UAV can still complete the task.
In terms of combat ability, the Lancet UAV is designed with a fuse installed in the front, equipped with a fragmentation warhead with high explosive force, when hitting the target, the detonator detonates the warhead to destroy the target by debris.
