The "Scalpel" loitering munition (kamikaze drone), developed by specialists from the "Vostok" Design Bureau, has passed all tests. Mass production of the drone was launched at the end of February. Thousands of such munitions will be delivered to the Russian Armed Forces by the end of 2024.
In November 2023,the kamikaze drone was tested in combat. For this purpose, a batch of 15 units was transferred to one of the military units. Drone operators noted their good handling and simple preparation for flight.
It is noted that the developers wanted to make the "Scalpel" a cheap version of the "Lancet". It has a similar design: an elongated fuselage of small cross-section, to which two X-shaped wings with rectangular planes are attached. The cost of one unit is 300 thousand rubles.
Technical characteristics of the "Scalpel":
- Product length - up to 1.5 m
- Take-off weight - up to 10.5 kg
- Electric motor with a pushing propeller
- Cruising speed - up to 120 km/h
- Flight range - up to 40 km
- Start - from a rail catapult
- For targeting - an optoelectronic system with 30x zoom
- Compartment in the fuselage with a diameter of 125 mm and a length of 650 mm
- Cargo weight - up to 5 kg
The "Vostok" Design Bureau is also developing a"flying wing" type drone for reconnaissance and fire adjustment.
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