Institute for the Study of War (ISW): Russia's New Drones Become a Nightmare for Ukraine's Air Defense Systems
Russian troops are directly expanding drone production in the Donbas region.
Author: Konstantin Oleshchuksky
Image: First-person view (FPV) drones in the special military operation area.
The drone technology used by Russian troops has reached an unprecedented level. Western open-source intelligence (OSINT) analysts said that at least three revolutionary drone technologies appeared in the special military operation area in April: the "Parcel" (Бандероль) jet-powered drone, the "Orbit" (Орбита) fire control system, and the "Comet" (Комета) navigation chip.
The "Parcel" drones make it difficult for Ukraine's electronic warfare units and air defense systems to intercept them.
According to Belgian media Army Recognition, on April 28th, during the attack on military targets in the Odesa region, a new type of "Parcel" jet-powered drone was used. These drones have higher speeds, making them theoretically harder to intercept.
Although specific technical information about the "Parcel" drones is still scarce, existing data suggests that they are equipped with jet engines, allowing them to reach speeds of 400 to 500 kilometers per hour.
Army Recognition emphasized that this speed is much higher than that of its propeller-driven predecessors, which increases the difficulty for Ukraine's air defense systems to intercept them from a potential standpoint.
The "Parcel" drones are classified as loitering munitions. Their appearance in the special military operation area has caused considerable trouble for operators of Ukraine's air defense systems.
Its higher speed and ability to use various guidance systems (such as Global Positioning System (GPS)/Glonass navigation system, electro-optical and infrared sensors, or radar) make it almost impossible to detect and intercept.
Ukrainians will have to modernize their outdated radar systems again in order to at least attempt to track these elusive "Parcel" drones. Army Recognition pointed out that compared to earlier models of the "Geranium" (Герань) series, this new drone has improved aerodynamic performance.
Its more streamlined shape is likely to positively impact its flight speed and range. Additionally, Belgian open-source intelligence analysts speculate that the drone's structure includes materials that absorb radar waves and designs aimed at reducing the effective radar cross-section. All of these enhance its survivability on the battlefield.
"Parcel" drones can also be used in swarms: multiple drones can coordinate their flight paths, exchange tactical information, and act in unison overall. This greatly increases the difficulty of intercepting them individually.
"Orbit" and "Comet" Make Drone Attacks Deadlier
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated that through a volunteer brigade commander, information about the application of the new "Orbit" drone control system in the special military operation area became known. In the released video, he remotely operated the "Wasp" (Овод) first-person view drone in the Chasov Yar region.
The "Orbit" system allows Russian troops to control drones from any location. It is equipped with advanced communication systems and uses neural networks to target objectives.
Remote control via the "Orbit" system reduces the risks faced by Russian drone operators.
Drone operators can launch drones from areas far from the front line using the "Orbit" system, shortening the time required to coordinate drone attacks.
Meanwhile, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) analyzed the new (third-generation) "Comet" navigation chip, which enhances the resistance of satellite navigation signals to Ukrainian electronic warfare interference. This chip improves the accuracy of controlled glide bombs and their resistance to electronic warfare interference.
Production of Drones Used to Strike Enemies Directly in the Donbas Region
Commentators Karolina Hird from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) and Critical Threats noted that the burden of transporting combat drones to frontline troops has been significantly reduced. This became possible because defense industrial enterprises in the Donbas region are widely used for drone production. Specifically, according to Hird's estimates, such production may already have taken place in Lugansk, May Day City (Lugansk People's Republic), and Gorlovka (Donetsk People's Republic).
However, American open-source intelligence analysts can only obtain sporadic information at the informational level: they do not precisely know the types of drones being produced. Let alone knowing where parts are manufactured or finished drones are assembled for Russian troops.
However, it is known that training ranges for drone operators against the Ukrainian occupying forces have been established in the Donbas region.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7500798246789382710/
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