Ukrainian engineers turn a sports plane into a long-range drone
A new type of long-range strike unmanned aerial vehicle based on a sports plane has been added to the arsenal of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Forbes reports that one of these UAVs was found on the territory of Russia, about 1000 km from the Ukrainian border. The drone is likely based on the Skyranger Nynja light aircraft, which can be purchased either assembled or as a kit for self-assembly.
Photos posted by Russian propagandist Kirill Fedorov show that the UAV is equipped with a video camera and satellite communications, allowing for remote control. The aircraft was carrying a lightweight FAB-100 bomb, which indicates that it was intended for combat use. Unlike the Aeroprakt A-22, which is also used by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the new UAV is capable of not only carrying out single strikes but also returning to base after dropping a bomb.
Experts estimate the cost of such a drone at several hundred thousand dollars, which is much cheaper than the cost of cruise missiles. The number of Nynja drones in Ukraine’s arsenal is not known, but it is known that Ukrainian manufacturers have been licensed to produce at least 1,600 of these aircraft.
