A recent alternative approach for C-UAS from Ukraine is a catapult-launched UAV loaded with two high-speed kamikaze UAVs to patrol against enemy UAVs.
Following unorthodox ideas like illuminator-equipped machine guns, UAVs carrying sticks, and balloon-dropped fixed-wing FPV UAVs; a recent solution being studied by Ukraine is a triangle of engagement with UAVs only.
An image of a catapult-launched UAV similar to the Russian-made Orlan-10 in size with two high-speed kamikaze UAVs under its wings was shared on Ukrainian Telegram channels.
The kamikaze UAVs carried by the catapult-launched UAV have four propellers and a fixed camera at the nose. Unlike the quad-copter UAVs regularly used in the field, these kamikaze UAVs have a trajectory that is more similar to a missile’s. Nearly pure forward flight allows significantly higher speeds compared to ‘copter’ UAVs but still slower than a missile.
These kamikaze UAVs falling between a quad-copter kamikaze UAV and missiles are significantly cheaper than the latter due to the same types of components being used with the former but with a layout difference.
Russia is also trying similar kamikaze UAVs to counter Ukrainian UAVs, rather focusing on use by infantry through hand-held launchers that release the kamikaze UAV once the propellers reach a high enough speed for launch.
If the idea of missile-like UAV-intercepting UAVs gets proven to be effective, it would not be far-fetched to assume armoured vehicles can benefit from this as well. This can be a more flexible solution compared to active protection systems, which have limited ammunition, or autocannon-fitted RCWS with proximity fuse ammunition, which can only engage one target at a time.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor: Özgür Ekşi
