Russian Lancet UAV crashes into a DPR truck
A Russian Lancet drone hit a Russian Ural truck with the occupiers. This is evidenced by an interception of a conversation between a fighter of the so-called “DPR” published by military observer Roman Bochkala on Telegram.
The truck driver complained by phone to his mother that he was being blamed for the accident. Allegedly, the Russian military used a catapult to launch a kamikaze drone while DPR fighters were loading a car nearby. For an unknown reason, the UAV crashed into the side of the Ural, damaging the vehicle and injuring several occupiers who were nearby.
“Our drone beat our guys. Now it’s my fault,” the man says in the audio recording. – “This is bullsh*t, not a drone.”
“The Lancet is a barrage munition manufactured by the Russian company Zala Aero (part of the Kalashnikov concern). The aircraft has two pairs of X-shaped wings and an electric motor that allows it to fly for about an hour at a speed of 80-110 km/h, with a range of about 40 km.
As a rule, the Russian military conducts surveillance using reconnaissance drones such as Zala or Orlan, and then sends Lancets to the identified targets. The strike drones are equipped with a guidance system that allows them to dive at objects even under the influence of electronic warfare.
In March, it was reported that Russians had modernized Lancet drones after a year of war in Ukraine. According to sources, the drone has received a more powerful warhead (previously weighing 3-5 kg) of the cumulative, high-explosive or thermobaric type to destroy Ukrainian tanks, howitzers, radar, SAMs and other equipment. In addition, the UAV was equipped with improved guidance and control systems.
Ukrainian experts recognize that Lancet drones pose a great threat to the Ukrainian army. It is assumed that after the reconnaissance UAVs detect a position, the Armed Forces have only 5-7 minutes before the kamikaze arrives. Electronic warfare systems can only hit the Lancet until it is on target, after which it can only be shot down by kinetic weapons such as man-portable air defense systems.
