The Russian army is apparently making modifications to its Lancet kamikaze drone, which is widely used in the current conflict with Ukraine. According to Russian and Ukrainian media, the device will soon be equipped with artificial intelligence, report our colleagues from Capital. The latter will allow him to better spot and attack Kiev’s vehicles and positions.
According to Ukrainian media The Kyiv Post, this modified version of the Lancet should be called Izdelié-53 (“Product-53” in French). Thanks to their artificial intelligence, these machines are intended to be used in swarms on the battlefields. Once a target was spotted by one of the drones, it would be able to alert everyone else to launch a synchronized attack.
Flights over 110 km/h
“This variant of roaming munitions communicates with operators by means that are autonomous and non-intrusive,” said Alexandre Zakharov, chief designer at Zala Aéro, the maker of the Lancet.
Just like its predecessor, the Izdelié-53 was to carry a 5 kg hollow-head warhead, allowing it to penetrate its targets, even heavily armored ones. This new kamikaze drone, whose design has been completely redesigned, could fly at more than 110 km/h over a distance of 40 to 70 km.
More than 45,000 drones per month
This arsenal should primarily target tanks, but also modern equipment such as western anti-aircraft systems or artillery fire control radars.
Given the Lancet’s success, Moscow urged the Zala Group to triple its production to deliver more than 45,000 units per month to the Russian army. The manufacturer has made use of considerable state aid for this. With this sum, he turned a shopping center into a production facility for his various drones, such as the Lancet or the Geran-2, a device used to damage Ukraine’s infrastructure.