The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) has reported that Russia has begun using a new drone with LTE connectivity and remote control capabilities.
According to the DIU, a 3D model, components and parts of the new UAV, which Russia is actively deploying in various sectors of the front, have been published in the Weapon Components section of the War&Sanctions portal.
It can serve as a reconnaissance or strike drone, as well as a decoy to overload Ukrainian air defence systems.
This modification is equipped with a camera and two LTE modems, which allow real-time or recorded video transmission via mobile base stations, as well as receiving commands for course correction.
In the strike version, the camera (with an adjustable viewing angle) and remote control can be used to guide the operator to the target using the FPV principle.
The drone has a delta-wing fuselage similar to the Shahed-131 (Geran-1), but is slightly smaller. Navigation is provided by a jam-resistant satellite positioning system with four patch antennas and Chinese Allystar modules.
Almost half of the drone’s components are manufactured in China (communication modules, minicomputer, power regulator, quartz generator).
The DLE engine is installed in the nose of the fuselage, making the drone most similar to the Italmas loitering munition produced by the Russian Zala Group.
- In July, Ukrainian intelligence presented samples of captured Russian weapons containing Western electronic components to Ukrainian and foreign diplomats.