The Vietnamese Army tested a proof-of-concept micro kamikaze USV armed with a PG-7 warhead from an RPG-7 and based on a remote-controlled miniature boat.
Vietnam has demonstrated a different approach to kamikaze USVs with a man-portable and extremely low-cost prototype to operate in rivers and lakes rather than the sea.
The prototype, using what appears to be a civilian-type RC scaled boat model as the basis, is armed with a PG-7 HEAT warhead used by RPG-7 rocket launchers.
Compared to full-scale kamikaze USVs starting from six meters in length and 200 kg warhead, Vietnam’s micro USV approach could be regarded as a more proportional solution against river/lake-going boats, which are regularly used in smuggling activities. The fact that the waters are calm in such areas takes away the sea state factor that affects small platforms.
This demonstration sheds light on another potential use, which would be countering the aforementioned full-scale kamikaze USVs intended to hit significant surface combatants. If refined with higher speed and better sea state resistance, smaller kamikaze USVs have a potential to be used as interceptors. Notably, a pack of smaller kamikaze USVs as interceptors can defend the ship against multi-directional swarms that might overwhelm the onboard weapons.
Author: Kaan Azman
Editor:Özgür Ekşi
