Russian specialists have begun testing the "Hydrangea" FPV drone equipped with an RPG-26 "Aglen" grenade launcher and a target re-acquisition system. The device received reconnaissance-inaccessible communication based on new physical principles and is capable of hitting targets in semi-automatic mode.
The "Hydrangea" design bureau noted that suppressing this type of communication would require the use of an expensive stationary or mobile electronic warfare system, which is unacceptable in combat conditions.
These complexes are produced in single copies and are disabled first. "Hydrangea" can semi-automatically hit targets in areas with unstable communication.
The developers clarified that the drone is capable of hitting objects with a hand-held grenade launcher from a height of 100-150 m. The effective range of the RPG-26 is 170-250 m.
The drone automatically re-targets the target and makes a precise shot from a height of 50-100 m, then gains altitude and leaves for reloading. After the shot, the spent container is dropped.
Forbes journalists noted that missile launchers are accurate enough, but shooting from a drone requires a certain amount of skill. Among the advantages of a drone with an RPG, they highlighted the ability to attack targets while remaining outside the enemy's electronic warfare zone.
UAVs with grenade launchers may become an evolutionary dead end, or they may be a significant step forward. If so, the world will have to consider this concept either as an opportunity or as a threat that needs to be countered.
Earlier it became known that Russian soldiers rebuilt T-55, T-62 and T-72 tanks into armored personnel carriers and infantry fighting vehicles.
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