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Click to enlarge. The USV used to shoot down the Russian Su-30 Flanker fighter was likely a Magura armed with two 'Sea Dragon' missiles.
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A Ukrainian maritime drone operated by Group 13 of military intelligence (HUR) has made history, being the first uncrewed vessel to successfully shoot down an enemy fast jet. The historic event took place on May 2 close to the strategic Russian naval base of Novorossiysk in the eastern Black Sea. This single event reflects the rapidly changing world of naval warfare.
A Ukrainian maritime drone (USV: uncrewed surface vessel) has achieved a world-first, shooting down a Russian jet. The Flanker fighter was downed on May 2. It is the first time a fast jet has been shot down by an uncrewed vessel.
The Russian aircraft, reportedly a two-seat Sukhoi Su-30 Flanker, was operating in the eastern Black Sea, hundreds of miles from Ukrainian controlled coast. Full details have yet to emerge but it is likely that the jet was sent to interdict the USVs which were threatening the main naval base at Novorossiysk and Kerch straight. The jet would have been flying low to engage the USV with cannons or unguided rockets.
The USV was operated by the Ukraine’s Military Intelligence (HUR) Group 13. This unit has previously been associated with a ‘Magura’ USV armed with two AA-12 Archer missiles. It is unconfirmed exactly which type of missile was used, but the AA-11 or a similar weapon seems likely. These infrared homing missiles were designed for aircraft launch but have been adapted by Ukraine as ground and sea based systems. They are called Sea Dragon when launched from USVs. Britain has also assisted in a ground based adaptation, the Gravehawk.
Russia has used Flankers to counter Ukrainian USVs for a couple of years. And they may have become more important in this role since two Mi-8 Hip helicopters were shot down on December 31, 2024. However, now even fast jets are not safe from the USVs.
The world of combat at sea is changing with uncrewed platforms playing an ever larger role. Navies will be watching these developments closely. In future Russian jets may have to remain further away and use much more expensive stand-off weapons to tackle Ukrainian USVs. However, USVs are so small that they present difficult targets for traditional anti-ship weapons. So Russia will now find it harder, and more expensive, to counter the USVs. Other navies might too if they face similar threats.
First Image Of Ukraine's Sidewinder-Armed Magura V7 Surface Drone - Naval News
Click to enlarge. Magura V7 surface drone (USV) armed with two Sidewinder missiles. Note that the missiles have yellow protective covers over their seekers, indicating that it is on a test run.
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Ukraine has successfully shot down two Russian jets sent to interdict their surface drones in the Black Sea. We can reveal the previously unreported surface drone (USV) which scored the kills using American Sidewinder missiles.
Ukraine’s successful shooting down of an Su-30 Flanker fighter on May 2, which was reported yesterday, has been joined by a second downed Flanker. These are the first two fighter jets in history to be downed by an uncrewed surface drone, but they are unlikely to be the last. We can now add further details following statements by Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence Directorate (HUR), and by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Naval News can reveal the previously unreported maritime drone (USV) which scored the kills.
As a point of detail, some statements indicated that a Magura V5 drone was used, but Naval News can confirm that it was in fact a larger Magura V7. This is the first time that the V7 variant has been revealed to the public.
Naval News initially reported, before further information was available, that the USVs likely used AA-11 Archer missiles. That configuration, known as Sea Dragon, was the only one publicly known. Now we can reveal the Sidewinder armed type.
A Mature Capability: Magura V7
The Magura V7 is quite different from the USV used to carry Sea Dragon missiles. That was a wider hull with large fixed launch rails. The V7 is essentially an enlarged Magura V5, the baseline model used to ram enemy ships with an explosive charge. It is approximately 8 meters (26 feet) long compared the the V5 at 5.5 meters (18 feet).
The V7 represents a mature capability compared to the Sea Dragon version which can be thought of as the prototype. It is cleaner and better thought out. It is unclear however whether it is exclusively armed with Sidewinder missiles or can carry other weapons.
The Magura V7 shares similar lines to the V5 version but has a reshaped bow. This feature suggests improved sea keeping, useful for operations in winter. It is seen with several communications antenna and sensors. It does not appear to have an explosive charge in the bow, due to the lack of impact detonators, but this may be configurable.
Sidewinder Armed
The two American-made Sidewinder missiles are mounted on their aircraft launch rails, which appear to be able to be elevated for launch. The missile’s operational range and performance is similar to the Soviet era AA-11 Archer (R-73) missiles used by the Sea Dragon. Engagements may take place at around 10 km, although it may be much shorter in practice than in theory.
The success of Ukraine’s uncrewed surface drones (USVs) cannot be overstated. They are rewriting the rules of naval warfare.
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첫댓글 러시아가 지상전은 그럭저럭 적응해서 주도권을 탈환했지만 바다는 여전히 쉽지 않네요. 가장 큰 차이라면, 바다에선 딱히 전술혁신의 대안을 찾지 못했고(애초에, 이제는 해군력이 우세하다고 육지 가까이 세력투사 하기가 가능하려...나요???) × 여건상 고기분쇄(...)를 쓸 수 없다는 점이려나요??
고기분쇄기를 보낼 수 없다는 게 가장 큰 차이점 같습니다 ㅎㅎㅎ 여기선 우크라이나가 전술혁신을 이끌어가고, 러시아는 제대로 따라가지도 못하네요.
USV가 워낙 작아서 잘 잡히지 않아 가까이 내려갔다가 맞은 모양이네요.
페북에서 김승규 기장님 회고를 보면 98년 여수 반잠수정 침투 당시에 로켓탄 장착하고 공중대기하셨고, 조명탄 낙탄중인 아래로 헬기와 S-2가 밀고 들어갔다는데 대충 비슷한 작전을 펼쳤다가 떨어진 게 아닐까 합니다.
상상이 점점 현실화 되는 시대네요..... 그나저나 저런물건이 서해안에 돌아다니면 뭔 수로 막을 수 있을까요? 거기다 지금이야 전시니까 그렇지 저렇게 소금물 맞는 공대공미사일은 수명과 신뢰성을 어느정도로 잡을 수 있을까요?
당장 반잠수정 대신 USV가 동서남해에 출몰할 수도 있을 것 같습니다.
장기간 작전이 필요하다면 공대공미사일을 캐니스터에 담아놓을 것 같긴 합니다. 그래도 파도가 그대로 들이치니 대형수상함의 VLS보다는 문제가 생길 가능성이 높겠지만요.