Latest news with #ComeBackAlive
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Ukrainian troops reveal domestic SETH drone resembling smaller Shahed
The Ukrainian kamikaze drone SETH, which resembles a smaller version of the Iranian-made Shahed due to its wing shape, can strike targets at a depth of 40 km, operates in tandem with a relay drone and costs several hundred thousand dollars. Source: a serviceman who goes under the alias "Yas" and commander of the unmanned systems battalion of the12th Special Forces Brigade Azov, in an interview with The War Zone, a US military technology, strategy, and foreign policy platform Details: Yas stated that the SETH can engage targets up to 40 km away, though the success of long-distance operations often depends on weather conditions. The drone can be fitted with either a high-explosive or a fragmentation-explosive warhead weighing up to 3 kg. The drone's navigation is based on protected GPS, and targeting is done via an integrated computer vision system, following manual confirmation of the target by the operator. SETH drones. Photo: Come Back Alive Quote: "In practice, we have already had cases of actual combat deployment of those systems, but I'm not really ready to comment on their success at this moment. However, I would just like to say that since these systems are quite expensive – one system costs approximately several hundred thousand dollars – we need to find high-value targets for such systems. So for example, this can be the enemy's air defence assets. And I think that one of the interesting specificities for deployment of these unmanned systems is that the reconnaissance drone that is used in tandem with this drone, it is also used as the repeater for the strike component of the system. In general, this drone has huge potential, but still, the technology is quite raw. It still has to be refined." Background: Previously, Brave1, a defence technology development cluster created by the Ukrainian government, conducted tests to improve the technology of kamikaze drones and to identify the most effective models among them. The main objective is to increase the killzone to 30–40 km – a range rarely reached by conventional FPV drones. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ukraine's 3rd Assault Brigade releases video showing hybrid air defence system
The 3rd Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has released a video showing the Dragon H73 mobile anti-aircraft missile system, which combines Soviet R-73 missiles with American HMMWV vehicles. Source: the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade on Facebook Details: "This mobile fire system, built on the chassis of the first HMMWV, is designed to strike both tactical aircraft and large drones like Orlan or Shahed. We use it all the time, as the system is capable of operating both during the day and at night," said the commander of the Dragon H73 system, who goes by the alias Shaman. Dragon H73. Photo: Screenshot from the video by the 3rd Brigade The Dragon H73 is equipped with a module carrying two Soviet R-73 air-to-air missiles. Soviet R-73s on a MiG-29 fighter jet. These missiles were developed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s for launch from fighter jets, but over the past decades various countries have adapted them for launch from land or sea-based platforms as part of air defence systems. This is not the first time Ukraine has used these missiles in a surface-to-air role. For example, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine integrated R-73s onto Magura V5 uncrewed surface vessels, which were used to shoot down two Russian Mi-8 helicopters in December 2024. Magura V5 uncrewed surface vessel with integrated R-73 missiles. Photo: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine Also in 2024, the Come Back Alive charity foundation integrated these missiles into the Soviet Osa anti-aircraft missile system, investing UAH 14 million (about US$336,496) into the modernisation. Osa anti-aircraft missile system with integrated R-73 missiles. Photo: Come Back Alive The UK Gravehawk air defence system, developed specifically for Ukraine, also operates using R-73 missiles. Gravehawk anti-aircraft missile system with integrated Soviet R-73 missiles. Screenshot from the video by UK Ministry of Defence The R-73 remains in service in several dozen countries worldwide, making it potentially available on the global market as well as from Ukraine's own stockpiles. Even before the full-scale war began, Ukrainian companies had announced their capability to repair and modernise these missiles. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
