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| Russian Lancet-3 Drones Reap Great Success on the Ukrainian Battlefield |
International Military - Apart from the Iranian-supplied Shahed-136 (Geran-2) kamikaze drones, the Russian Lancet-3 loitering munitions are a frightening aerial scourge for Ukrainian forces. If the Shahed-136 targets more static targets such as military facilities or other important infrastructure, then the Lancet-3 is used to hunt down Ukrainian war equipment.
The Lancet-3 drones have been responsible for destroying nearly 45 percent of Ukrainian forces' towed and self-propelled artillery (SPH) weapon systems since the invasion began in February 2022.
According to the open website Oryx, the Lancet-3 drone has scored more than 100 successful strikes on Ukrainian targets during the war. In recent weeks, the Lancet-3 has even reaped great success.
On April 28, 2023, a video circulated of the Lancet-3 successfully destroying four Ukrainian S-300 air defense missile systems. On the same day, the Lancet-3 also managed to disable the German-donated Gepard SPAAG anti-aircraft system.
Previously, on April 18, 2023, a Ukrainian patrol boat on the Dnipro River caught fire after being hit by Lancet-3.
Regarding the Lancet-3, it is a type of roaming ammunition developed by the Russian company ZALA Aero Group (part of Kalashnikov Concern). The Lancet-3 can be used for reconnaissance and attack missions. It has a maximum range of 40 km and a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of up to 12 kg.
The Lancet-3 can be launched via catapult launcher from land or sea platforms like the Raptor class light patrol boats. The Lancet-3 features optical-electronic guidance and a TV guidance unit, which allows it to be controlled during the terminal stage of flight. This double-letter X-type winged drone also has intelligence modules, navigation and sophisticated communication devices.
In combat mode, the weapon can be equipped with a high explosive (HE) or HE-fragmentation head. When it finds its target, the Lancet-3, which is equipped with an electric motor, dives sharply at a speed of 300 km/hour.