Sea drones challenge Russian defenses: Raptor patrols step up
Ukrainian sea drones have become a significant nuisance for the Russians because they have only recently started learning how to deal with such threats. One effective and relatively safe method involves using Project 03160 patrol boats known as Raptors. Here, we present what they are.
Ukrainian sea drones have effectively paralyzed the Russian Black Sea fleet, but they haven't successfully attacked any floating targets for months now. It seems the Russians, after facing months of issues, have learned to better protect their ships in ports.
Russian methods of protection against sea drones
The Russians had no strong incentive to develop defenses against small "kamikaze" units in their navy compared to the American navy, for whom the attack on the USS Cole destroyer by a motorboat loaded with explosives in the port of Aden was a shocking event. This prompted the development of procedures and systems to prevent such incidents, which eventually extended to other NATO countries.
Meanwhile, the Russians had to quickly improvise using what was available after a series of setbacks. Initially, helicopters were employed for defense against sea drones, but after losing several units, they chose to use multirole aircraft. However, these too suffer losses due to anti-aircraft drones. Therefore, the best option seems to be guidance by, for example, a helicopter or airplane flying at high altitudes (out of range of short-range missiles) for intervention patrols on armed motorboats.
In the recording below, you can see the crew of a Russian Raptor boat trying to destroy a Ukrainian sea drone. First, they fire at it with a large-caliber machine gun, which seems ineffective, and then they resort to using a single-use anti-tank grenade launcher.
It is also worth noting that despite the very poor quality of the recording, the Ukrainian drone appears to be an anti-aircraft variant, as suggested by the long white object attached to its side, resembling a Vympel R-73 missile. It is not, therefore, a "kamikaze" model with a several-hundred-kilogram warhead.
Russian Raptor motorboats
As journalist Łukasz Michalik from Wirtualna Polska noted, the Raptor boats were designed by the Open JSC Pella shipyard and entered the Russian navy in 2014. These fast boats are capable of transporting 20 soldiers, excluding the two-person crew, and are heavily armed.
They are equipped with a remotely controlled turret fitted with a heavy machine gun of 14.5x114 mm caliber at the front. There is also the option to add a manned turret at the rear, as seen in the piece visible in the recording. Additionally, two mounts on the stern can hold PKP Pecheneg machine guns of 7.62x54R mm caliber.
Situational awareness on these units is enhanced by an observation module with night and thermal vision, enabling detection of targets at distances up to 2 miles. Protection is provided by class 5 and 5A armor plates, and the bulletproof glass is 1.5 inches thick. Such protection is effective against most small arms but is not sufficient against anti-tank missiles.
The boat's mobility is ensured by an engine with approximately 2,000 horsepower, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 58 mph. The fuel reserve enables operations within a range of up to 115 miles from its operational base.
