The Russian armed forces have begun experimental operation of a modified Geran-2 strike drone equipped with an R-60 air-to-air missile. This configuration, according to preliminary estimates, is designed to intercept and destroy helicopters that may be actively hunting Russian drones.
R-60 missile is a product of the Soviet era, but still remains a combat-ready means of close air combat. Its infrared homing head (seeker) allows it to engage targets without the use of an onboard radar, which makes the system less vulnerable to electronic countermeasures and simplifies integration on small platforms.
Experts note that the idea of creating a "fighter drone" based on the Geran-2 or its subsequent modifications (including the Geran-3) has long been discussed in expert circles.
Such a step could radically change the tactics of using UAVs in conflict zones, turning them from strike or reconnaissance assets into full-fledged elements of low-level air defense.
Tactical and technical characteristics of the missile:
- Flight range: up to 7 km (for the modified version of the R-60M missile — up to 10 km).
- Flight speed: 2.5–3 Mach (3–3.5 thousand km/h).
- Controlled flight time: 23 s.
- Missile length: 2095 (2138 for R-60M) mm, wingspan — 390 mm.
- Radio fuse range: up to 5 m.
- Warhead: rod type, guarantees instant destruction of the target in the air.
- Overload of affected targets: up to 12 units.
- Target flight speed: up to 2500 km/h in the altitude range from 30 m to 20 km.
- Probability of hitting a target with a salvo of two missiles: estimated at 0.7–0.8.
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