Russia boosts drone power with new flamethrower warheads

Russian Molniya-2 drones, known for their simplicity and efficiency, are now being equipped with new warheads by the military. According to Defense Express, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have begun installing RPO-A Shmel components (thermobaric warhead version) on these drones. Designed to be as cost-effective as possible, these drones now pose a greater threat on the front lines.

A video released by the Russian Ministry of Defense shows these warheads' installation, as social media users spotted. Although it remains unclear how widespread this practice is, it demonstrates the versatility of the Molniya-2 design. These drones have previously been outfitted with other improvised warheads, such as KZ-6 explosive charges or RPG-7 anti-tank grenades.

In recent weeks, however, the Russians have begun upgrading this design. Evidence includes the presence of RPO-A Shmel warheads and TM-62 anti-tank mines, which have been previously observed.

As Defense Express notes, experts within the arms industry warn that the simplicity of the design and the use of materials available in many hardware stores enable the Russians to increase the production of Molniya-2 drones easily.

For clarification, the Molniya-2 drone is an advancement over its predecessor, the Molniya-1. Both of these unmanned aerial vehicles were designed with simplicity in mind, resulting in low production costs. The Molniya-2 is primarily constructed from plywood and aluminum tubes that form the frame. The wings and stabilizers are made of lightweight materials, allowing soldiers to assemble and deploy these drones on the front lines quickly.

The propulsion for this weapon is a simple electric motor (most likely of Chinese origin), which can propel the drone to speeds of 50 mph. The flight range is approximately 25 miles, though it may vary depending on the payload capacity.