Turkey’s “Anka” drone (Image: wikimedia) The new attack drone (UAV, drone-ND) “Simsek” (“Lightning”) was introduced to the public by Turkish Aerospace company of Turkey this week. Unlike another UAV which is currently very famous in Turkey, “Bauyraktar”, UAV “Lightning” is a drone – kamikaze (UAV suicide, UAV is also known as flying bullets. wait-ND) – it plunges into the target and detonates the warhead. UAV- kamikaze Simsek Turkey At first glance, this is not something too new – “Simsek” is not the first type of bullets waiting to fly. The Israelis and the Americans have accumulated a lot of valuable experience in this field. Yes, and Russia already has some such design. But nevertheless, the uniqueness of the Turkish “Lightning” is that it was brought to the launch point by another drone with a larger engine power – that is, the “Anka” UAV, which also came to the fore. Turkish company aforementioned design. UAV “Anka” – a version similar to “Predator” USA and also has a useful payload of 200 kg. It has two hangers under the wings, and therefore, is capable of carrying two Simsek-kamikaze UAVs within a range of about 500 km. And as a result, it greatly increased the range of the offensive weapon (ie UAV “Simsek”). And also so that there is no need to use a manned air force to perform the same mission. To create “Simsek”, the Turks took 12 years. This project has been in operation since 2009. But in the early days, the Turks had no intention of building “Simsek” into UAV-kamikaze, but rather to build a type of high-speed aerial target to test the air defense systems, as well as for testing of “air-to-air” class cruise missiles launched from fighter aircraft. And also do not understand why the Tho kept silent during the project to build this suicide drone. Until the end of last April, General Director of Turkish Aerospace (Turkish Airlines – Aerospace) Temel Kotil recently revealed some details about the project in an interview with CNN Turk. Mr. Kotil said that the combat head weight of “Simsek” is 5 kg. The flight distance after launching from “Anka” is 100-200 km. This UAV is equipped with a jet turbine engine, so it is quite high speed. In addition, the Turkish Aerospace’s General Manager also added that it is highly maneuverable. However, I really don’t understand what this UAV model needs to be maneuverable for. Mr. Kotil did not disclose how to control the drone. He spoke briefly about: a) it is fully autonomous and b) capable of being directed to the target in direct line of sight, either from a drone or from an operator. underground. “Simsek” is capable of destroying fixed targets on the ground. From the aforementioned “a” point, we can see that the navigation for this type of projectile is carried out by GPS signals. Therefore, the most effective method to “treat” the UAV “Simsek” is to suppress satellite positioning signals with electronic warfare systems. From point “b”, it can be concluded that navigation can be done by radio command, or by laser beam. To do this, the appropriate equipment must be installed on the UAVs. And there is another very important issue. The maximum distance from the target to the launch point of the UAV-carrier is 700 km (500 km for “Anka” + 200 km for “Simsek”). In order to connect these two drones when selecting a target and choosing to attack the target, it is necessary to have a control officer at the UAV launch site – the vehicle carrying “Anka”. And so, need a high-speed satellite communication channel. Many experts believe that after a while “Simsek” Turkey will “learn” how to attack mobile targets on the ground. However, to do that, it will either have to be equipped with a self-conducting terminal – either infrared or active radar, or be able to exchange information through a reliable data transmission channel. to control the flight path. It is reported that Turkish Aerospace will produce up to one hundred “Simsek” drones per year. At this point, it must be said that Russia was ahead of Turkey in making flying ammo. But, unfortunately, up to now this is only one step ahead in terms of fabrication timelines. The two drones – kamikaze of the Zala Aero company of the “Kalashnikov” group have successfully passed the “brides face view at the Syrian shooting range”. These were UAVs “Kub” and UAVs “Lancet”. These two types of UAVs were built with a gap of nearly 2 years. However, in terms of strength, they are more modest than the “Turks”. The combat head weight of “Kub” – 3 kg. Of “Lancet-1” – 1 kg. And “Lancet-3” – up to 3 kilograms. And they are launched by traditional methods – with catapults. The shorter operating distance (Simsek) is considerable – only 30 km to 40 km. Speed ​​- from 80 to 130 km / h. Flight time is 30 minutes. But in return, the Russian works to realize on the UAVs on other features, also extremely important, a much more skillful way. All three of the aforementioned Russian drones are quite similar, only “Lancet-1” is slightly different – it has a smaller size and weight, only 5 kg. On all three UAVs there is a television camera – it is used by an officer on the ground to guide the UAV to a target. As a result, the maximum error when attacking their target did not exceed 2 meters. The mean error is even less. The image from the camera is transmitted via the anti-noise channel to the ground control point, and from this control point, the UAV is directed to the target. In addition, the Russian drone – kamikaze is able to operate independently, without the involvement of an operator – it flies to the target according to coordinates that have been pre-installed in memory. And this type of waiting-flying ammunition made by the Russian company Zala Aero also has a very “top notch” feature – that is the ability to stealth. It is completely understandable that they are made of composite materials, – an almost imperative requirement today. But at the same time, “Kub” ‘s body was shaped like a bird. And it moves in the air like a bird, except without flapping its wings. But there is a special mode that simulates the flight path of the birds. The “Lancet” has a more complex aerodynamic configuration – a vertically double fuselage with two pairs of X-shaped wings. At the same time, according to the design engineers, the drone is nearly “flying in silence. ”(Make no noise). They have different flight patterns. Can fly to the target at an altitude of 3-4 meters, and follow the terrain folds. They can also attack targets from a height of 4.5 km. This method is used when attacking a tank in the least protected top view. Unlike Turkish kamikaze, Russian drones are capable of attacking mobile targets. In addition, the designers “Kub” and “Lancet” asserted that such a stand-by bullet attack would be much cheaper than using a self-propelled howitzer. Therefore, there is a bright prospect for large-scale production of kamikaze drones to use them for mass attacks on enemy battlefields. The “ZALA Lancet” suicide drone of the “Kalashnikov” Group (Photo: Marina Lystseva / TASS) With such a spirit, it is advisable to pay attention to a comment of the US newspaper Washington Post – a newspaper with very “enthusiastic” responses to the drones – kamikaze of the Russian “Kalashnikov” Group. on display at the IDEX-2019 international weapons exhibition. This American newspaper suddenly announced that this was truly a revolution in the world of weapons, and the Russian drones presented at the show were, in fact, “a rifle. attack the modern Kalashnikov (AK) “. The strange thing is that both the US and Israel have suicide drones, at least not worse than Russian suicide drones. However, the Americans were convinced by the low cost and simplicity of use of the Russian “Kalashnikov” product. Knowing how, we won’t argue with them on this topic. Le Hung- Nguyen Hoang (Translate)

Loitering munition (LM) or suicide drones (suicide / kamikaze drones) are weapons systems that hover around to find a target and attack when the target is located. . LM has the advantages of tactical and tactical features, simplicity in production and operation, increasing survivability in combat as well as the ability to destroy targets. It also allows for more selective targeting and actual strike missions can be canceled, revolutionizing the way war is waged in volatile regions of the world. Lancet is equipped with an electric motor with a propeller in the tail and optoelectronic unit in the nose; Source: topwar.ru The LM can be as simple as a drone (UAV) and can even be built from commercial drones, with weapons attached, sent on a suicide mission. in the air for a long period of time before an attack, which simplifies reconnaissance and assault. It allows to promptly attack hidden targets in a short time without having to use expensive weapons (such as rockets, self-propelled guns using smart bullets …). Low cost creates another characteristic advantage that simplifies the organization of large-scale raids aimed at overwhelming enemy air defenses. LMs are made more complex in terms of flight and control capabilities, warhead size and design, body sensors … Some LMs may return and be recalled by the operator if they are not. used in the attack and has enough fuel left. LM first appeared in the 1980s, was used as the Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) against surface-to-air missiles (SAM), and was used by the military in several countries. Entering service in the 1990s. Starting in the 2000s, the LM has been developed and has a construction suitable for wearing in a backpack for additional missions, from long range attacks and fire support. power to short-range, tactical battlefield systems. Lancet – a formidable Russian mobile suicide weapon In fact, the British were the first to come to terms with the LM weapon, but today Russia, Israel and the US are leading the way. Not long ago, the Zala Aero company of Kalashnikov Group (Russia) presented the first suicide weapon “Lancet” (“Ланцет”) – an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of reconnaissance and attack. Assigned public target, capable of completely changing combat operations in the near future. The company’s new product Zala Aero was demonstrated for the first time at the Army-Technical Forum-2019. Each combination includes a control panel providing the ability to receive and process data, as well as transmit commands to the suicide weapon. The Lancet is fabricated in a longitudinal scheme with two X-shaped wing combinations used to reduce the size of the bearing plane while maintaining the required lift; at the same time, it is possible to increase the stiffness of the structure and increase the flight speed. As a rule, Israel’s most famous LM systems built according to the classic airplane scheme have one fundamental drawback: LMs maneuver well along one axis and not maneuver along the other – which reduces the effect of an attack on a moving target. The X-shaped wing map adheres to aerodynamic surfaces, which are characteristic of missiles, overcoming this weakness. Lancet is designed with the optoelectronic unit in the nose and the electric motor connected to the propeller propeller at the tail; Widely used plastic and synthetic materials. Unlike foreign models, Lancet uses two X-shaped wings combinations; Source: topwar.ru The optical device unit has a channel that transmits the signal to the operator console, does not lose video communication with the operator until it is in direct contact with the target. This UAV is also equipped with its own navigation system capable of identifying coordinates from a variety of sources and objects. Flight and targeting can be performed under the control of the operator and independently, or a combination of the two. Experts will track it from the ground through the Russian GLONASS satellite navigation system or its own command-control system. The “Lancet-1” and “Lancet-3” models agreed on the body frame and internal system components, catapulted, capable of reaching speeds of 80-130 km / h. According to the manufacturer, they do not need additional operating facilities on the ground but can locate, communicate, attack targets within a radius of 40 km. When the UAV flies to an altitude of 5 km, it can turn off the main engine but continue to hover, mimicking the behavior of the birds, doing the mission for an additional 3 km at lower altitudes. After that, the UAV restarted the engine and flew again to a height of 5 km. With those unique features, the UAV’s field of view is increased to 1,000 km, far exceeding its counterparts. Lancet-1 has a takeoff weight of 5 kg, is equipped with a 1 kg fragmentation warhead, Lancet-3 weighs 12 kg, carries a 3 kg warhead, and both uses a contact detonator. In terms of power, the warheads of these two LMs are equivalent to medium-sized artillery shells. If the previous generation of Lancet – “Kub” (“Куб”) attacks the target according to specific coordinates, like most foreign UAVs, Lancet does not need any satellite positioning and the accuracy of astonishing hit. What makes this special is that in the event of a loss of contact with the control center, Lancet will switch to automatic target and attack mode. So, even with interference by the enemy, Lancet can still complete the mission. LM can be launched into the air both from the ground and from aircraft carriers at sea, and ships. Lancet chief architect Alexander Zakharov calls these UAVs “aerators” (“воздушноe минированиe”) as the world’s first system designed to defend against UAVs, capable of “drafting” in the air. medium for tens of hours and capable of shooting down UAVs moving at speeds below 300 km / h. Lancet’s design gives it many features and advantages over foreign models; Source: topwar.ru According to the Chief Architect, this “gas” system is being tested, to test the accuracy and combatability of Lancet in real combat conditions against static and dynamic targets; at the moment, it has already killed 100% of its target. According to Zvezda TV, from 2020 until now, both the Russian and Syrian troops have used Lancet to conduct dozens of high-precision attacks on terrorist groups in northeastern Syria. The main feature the designers are working on to improve on is stealth, including “acoustical stealth”, and here thanks to the use of electric motors, the Lancet is unmatched. In addition, the electric motor is more reliable, lighter, more compact, and cheaper. It is believed that laser air defense systems that can burn materials will be highly effective in the fight against drones. Zala Aero has developed new methods of protecting Lancet against such threats – integrating anti-laser protection, but without disclosing details. In the past few years, in the field of reconnaissance and attack, UAVs have made great progress, and a major and important modernization of drones of the Russian armed forces is expected. waiting to take place in the near future. Promising LM models will allow Air Force – Space forces and other structures to acquire fundamentally new capabilities and increase their potential, which will be able to close the gap with major powers. other. However, it takes time, effort and money./.