The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine uses two types of naval UAV carriers for operations in the Black Sea. The new devices differ from the usual Magura V5.
Footage featuring combat platforms were presented in the announcement of the documentary film "Naval Battle. The Era of Drones."
The Defence Intelligence of Ukraine is developing a fleet of naval drones, with a significant role assigned to crewless platforms that launch strike kamikaze UAVs. The technology allows for strikes on ground and high-maneuverability surface targets.
The new naval drones have structural differences from the usual Magura V5. The first uses a conventional boat engine with propellers instead of water jets and carries four containers with ready-to-launch FPV drones, clarifies "Militarny".
According to a reconnaissance operative from a special forces group familiar with the use of the new drones, the naval platform carries from 500 to 3000 kilograms of various armaments. This includes air, surface, and underwater weapons systems.
The system uses the latest technologies combined with artificial intelligence in the NATO style. The second model of the drone carrier has a different hull shape and a launcher for four strike drones of the aircraft type.
It is likely that it is the second type of drone carrier that was used to deliver weapon systems to the Crimean coast by Primary units of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. In April, a drone struck several combat boats and a Tor-M2 air defence system of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the peninsula’s waters.
Both platforms are equipped with Starlink satellite internet antennas, extending the operating range of the naval drones.
How are the naval drones controlled?
For the first time, intelligence operatives showed a control station for the naval platform featuring an operator’s chair and control system. It resembles an aircraft control yoke and throttle lever.
The control station for the naval platform is equipped with an operator’s chair, a yoke, and joysticks
The yoke has several buttons, one of which may be responsible for the bow tilt of the unmanned vessel.
Images from the platform’s day and night cameras are displayed on the operator’s augmented reality glasses and mirrored on the rear monitor to inform other officers in the control center.
Augmented reality glasses allow the operator to combine images from several cameras into a single picture with a wide field of view.
The image is presented from several cameras, creating a single picture
Nearby, images from the thermal imager and stern cameras, located in the bow part, are displayed. Operatives say that these drone carriers have opened up possibilities not only for striking ground targets but also for providing air cover for large naval operations.
"This is a significant argument since the special units of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine actively conduct landings of sabotage groups behind enemy lines and raid operations in the Black Sea," the authors concluded.