Russian Shahed-136 drones are equipped with an explosive with cumulative and thermal effects
The new combat unit for the Shahed-136 has the index “BST-52” and is obviously specially designed for this kamikaze drone
The long-range kamikaze drones, Shahed-136 type aircraft missiles, have received a new version of the Russian-made warhead. This combat unit is a continuation of the development of the previous one with the MSNI index, during the modernization of which it received additional cumulative and incendiary (thermal) effects. And this is the third version of the Russian combat unit after the appearance of combat units with the BSF index in July 2023.
Defense Express received information and photos of the new combat unit from its own sources. It was found on a “black” Shahed-136 used by the enemy the other day and shot down by the Ukrainian Defense Forces. A photo of her has also been released by the National Police.
The marking of the new warhead includes the index “BST-52” and also contains the number 206-2-23, which indicates that it was produced in 2023. The exact meaning of “206-2” will only be possible to talk about after more data is available for analysis.
The new combat unit received a cumulative notch, which is responsible for creating a cumulative jet:
But the most dangerous thing is the additional thermal effect of the BST-52 explosion, which is provided by the incendiary elements installed inside the warhead, which are, apparently, termite “checkers.”
It is possible that the unconfirmed information about a thermobaric warhead on the Shahed in early December 2023 was caused by this warhead with an additional incendiary effect.
In general, the attempt to create such a diverse warhead in terms of effects in Russia is somewhat similar to the original Iranian-made Shahed-136 warhead. It had a large number of cumulus craters, which directly indicated that its developers did not understand the physical processes of cumulus jet formation, as well as the finished warheads.
At the same time, such warheads with the “BSF” index, which are most likely used in other Russian missiles, are no longer visible.
It is quite possible that the BST-52 will also replace the warhead with the “MSNI” index, which is most likely also a standard warhead of another Russian missile, once the stockpile is exhausted.
In the end, everything so far indicates that the combat unit with the index “BST-52” is a combat unit specially designed for Shahed.
