U.S. Alleges Russia Manufacturing Suicide Drones Using Gyroscopic Equipment
Democratic governments around the world have been alarmed by reports that the Russian military is constructing kamikaze drones utilizing hoverboards and mines, as claimed in Forbes magazine.
Videos showcasing this type of drone have surfaced, revealing a pair of hoverboards combined with an anti-tank mine. According to the publication, these drones have been utilized by Russian forces to obliterate Ukrainian military fortifications.
Apparently, these drones offer several advantages over traditional ground drones, as they can traverse rugged terrain at higher speeds.
In March, a spokesperson from the VVZ Drones unmanned aerial vehicle design bureau confirmed the development of a drone named "Sif," capable of destroying combat helicopters, reconnaissance, and strike drones. The drone's specifications are remarkably similar to a fully operational air defense system.
In the Zaporizhzhia region, a new drone interceptor was put to the test, achieving a speed exceeding 310 kilometers per hour. The unmanned aerial vehicle was created by members of the B.A.R.S. "Sarmat" detachment.
Prior to this, the US had alerted the world to Russia's development of laser drone weapons.
Although specific details about the hoverboard kamikaze drones and Sif drones are scarce, here's some open-source knowledge:
- Hoverboard Kamikaze Drones: These are likely small, maneuverable drones, typically commercial or custom-built, retrofitted with explosives for precision strikes. They have a maximum speed of 140 km/h and are controlled via a video link. Their payload can range from 0.5-2 kg of explosives, and they are primarily used to target armor, infantry, or infrastructure.
- Sif Drone: Information about a Russian drone named "Sif" is currently unverified in public sources. This term might refer to loitering munitions, such as the Lancet-3, or electronic warfare drones used to disrupt communications or GPS signals.
- Laser Drone Weapons: Russia has tested anti-drone laser systems, although deployment details remain uncertain. Some examples include the Peresvet system, primarily for satellite blinding purposes, and the Zadira, which has been alleged to disable drones via thermal or optical disruption.
Recent developments indicate a growing focus by Russia on low-altitude threats, such as the SA-22 Pantsir intercepting drones, suggesting that counter-drone technology is a priority. Although not explicitly named in the sources, the use of kamikaze drones in Ukraine involving modified commercial drones aligns with observed tactics.
- The characteristics of the hoverboard kamikaze drones, as revealed in open-source knowledge, suggest they are small, maneuverable drones typically commercial or custom-built, retrofitted with explosives for precision strikes, with a maximum speed of 140 km/h.
- Despite limited information available about the Russian drone named "Sif," its potential specifications are remarkably similar to a fully operational air defense system, hinting at its significant capabilities.
- The news of Russia's laser drone weapons is not new; earlier, the US had alerted the world to some developments in this area, with examples such as the Peresvet system and the Zadira, which are alleged to disrupt drones via thermal or optical disruption.
