Rare footage shows the Russian Lancet-3 drone launch in Ukraine conflict
6:21 AM EDT, May 17, 2024
The Ukrainian Front profile on platform X has published a rare recording from the front, showing the moment a Russian Lancet-3 kamikaze drone takes off. The specific region and period of the footage are unknown, but it's noteworthy that such videos rarely make it to the network.
Kamikaze drones are becoming increasingly significant on the front lines. These drones are not only exceptionally effective and capable of eliminating even heavily armored vehicles, but their production cost is significantly lower than artillery and ballistic missiles. It is no surprise that both Ukrainians and Russians are eagerly using kamikaze drones in the conflict.
Usually, social media platforms showcase recordings depicting drones in the final stage of flight, just before detonation. Rarely do videos show the moment a drone is launched, from which specific launch platform it occurs, and what the first seconds of the flight look like after takeoff.
Finally, there is an opportunity to witness this. The Russians have released a short video demonstrating the launch procedure of one of the most popular kamikaze drones in the Russian Federation's arsenal, the Lancet-3.
A weapon only Russia has
The unmanned Zala Lancet-3 drone shown in the footage is unique because it is available only to the Russian Federation's army. In 2023, Aleksandr Mikheyev, the director of Rosoboronexport, the company responsible for exporting weapons, explained that the drone is not exported abroad due to the high domestic demand of the Russian armed forces. The unit price of this device is approximately $35,000, roughly 135,000 Polish zloty.
The history of the Lancet-3 drone, developed by the Zala Aero Group, dates back to 2019. That year, the manufacturer first publicly presented this weapon, and serial production of the Lancet-3 loitering munition began.
The drone was not without its initial problems. In its early versions, the Lancet-3 had difficulty hitting moving targets and eliminating objects hidden under trees, often detonating the warhead in the tree canopies before reaching the target. Improvements addressing these issues were introduced in 2023, including developing more effective and heavier warheads. The Lancet-3 began to pose a greater threat, as Ukrainians repeatedly found out during the conflict.
The drone, valued at over 130,000 Polish zloty, is powered by an electric motor, which can accelerate it to a maximum speed of 186 mph and a cruising speed of 68 mph. The drone can reach a maximum distance of 43 miles from the mobile launch platform (as seen in the footage – mounted on a small trailer) and will stay in the air for no longer than 60 minutes.
This device's offensive capabilities are provided by a 6.6 lb. explosive charge, strong enough to penetrate armor steel 8.5 inches thick. Additionally, the manufacturer did not design the warhead to be disarmed or the drone to land if the mission is aborted. Once launched, the Lancet-3 must conclude its flight with detonation.
