TechUkrainian maritime drones: New predators of the Black Sea

Ukrainian maritime drones: New predators of the Black Sea

Magura V5 drone with a visible R-73 Vympel air-to-air missile.

Images source: © X (previously Twitter) | OSINTtechnical

4:55 AM EDT, May 7, 2024

Ukrainian maritime drones have become a significant threat to the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Initially targeted by Russian helicopters, the Ukrainians ingeniously transformed these drones from being mere targets to formidable predators. Here’s an overview of their strategy.

Ukrainians deployed the maritime drones to launch assaults on the Black Sea Fleet, targeting various segments, including the landing ship Project 775 "Oleniegorski Miner," the tanker SIG, and patrol ships like Vasiliy Bykov. They were also utilized in attacks on the Crimean Bridge.

In response to these threats, the Russian defense started employing helicopters to destroy the detected drones, such as the Black Sea Magura V5, using deck guns, among other methods. This prompted the Ukrainians to adapt by arming some of their naval drones with R-73 Vympel air-to-air missiles.

The Russians questioned the effectiveness of these missiles after witnessing a failed launch attempt. However, the mysterious loss of a Mi-24 helicopter over the Black Sea in April raised speculation about their potential impact.

The Magura V5 maritime drones, resembling motorboats, measure approximately 18 feet in length and 4.9 feet in width. They are jet-propelled, achieving speeds up to 48.6 miles per hour.

For controlling these drones, AR goggles similar to those used for FPV (First-Person View) drones are employed, allowing the pilot to have a direct view through an optoelectronic head that includes both daytime and thermal imaging cameras. The communication for image transmission is secured through encrypted channels provided by the Starlink terminal.

With a range exceeding 497 miles, the Magura V5 drones were designed to carry a conventional payload of approximately 661 pounds. However, there have been instances where the payload was reported to be double that weight.

The capacity of these drones easily accommodates a launcher for two R-73 Vympel missiles, each weighing 231 pounds, along with additional equipment. These missiles, a Soviet creation in response to the AIM-9 Sidewinder, are designed to lock onto heat sources, facilitating the drone's capability to target aircraft such as MiG-29 or Su-27 by detecting their thermal signatures. Once launched, the missile autonomously navigates to the target.

A 16.5-pound fragmentation warhead destroys the target. The exact range of these missiles is not disclosed but is speculated to be slightly over 6.2 miles, considering the denser air found closer to sea or ground level.