Russia UAV programs, News & Update

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Footage of the assembly and launch of the Russian Lancet-51 drone from a camouflaged position in the back of a truck. It's worth noting that the British Ministry of Defense has called the Lancet kamikaze drones one of Russia's best combat systems. The Lancet-51 drone, officially designated "Product 51," is constantly being upgraded.

 

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Russian mobile counter-drone units have begun actively using the Arkhangel interceptor drone, developed by the Arkhangel design bureau. The Arkhangel project is a team of enthusiasts that began development in 2022, with centers located in Moscow, Crimea, and the Krasnodar Krai. The Arkhangel drone can act as an interceptor drone, shooting down enemy drones, and as a strike weapon, targeting structures, armored vehicles, infantry, and unmanned boats. The developers themselves refer to it as a drone-missile; an interview with them is at the end of the video. An interesting feature of the Arkhangel drone is its use by air defense systems. A corner reflector can be mounted on the drone, allowing air defense radars to detect it and target enemy drones. This operational mode has already been tested in real-world conditions. The drone can also be used at night and launched from UAVs and other platforms. Small-scale production of the drones is currently underway; the project requires an order and funding from the Ministry of Defense. The Arkhangel interceptor drone can be equipped with a warhead weighing between 700 grams and 2.5 kg. It reaches speeds of up to 350 km/h and has a range of up to 50 kilometers. The drone's specifications are subject to change as it is constantly being developed.

 

[Soldier30]

The Kalashnikov Concern unveiled the modernized Russian tactical drone, the KUB-10ME. Details about the drone are still scarce. It is known that the drone was developed in a very short timeframe, approximately four months. Judging by the video, the drone is equipped with an internal combustion engine. The KUB-10ME drone is designed to engage unarmored and lightly armored vehicles. It can also engage enemy personnel, stationary targets, and air defense systems. The drone is also capable of performing reconnaissance missions at altitudes of 80 to 1,800 meters and a cruising speed of up to 120 km/h. The warhead weight is still unknown, but some sources indicate it weighs between 4 and 16 kg. The drone's range is over 100 kilometers.

 

[Soldier30]

The Russian army has begun actively using Sokol-I interceptor drones. The first drones were deployed in 2025. The drone's manufacturer is currently unknown. The Sokol-I drone is designed for reconnaissance, engaging ground targets, and intercepting UAVs, including the Chaklun, Leleka, and Hornet. The Sokol-I drone is relatively simple, with a foam body. Thanks to the foam, the drone's effective reflectivity is low, making it a difficult target for air defense systems. The Sokol drone is hand-launched, without the use of any catapults or additional equipment. The operator can launch the interceptor within minutes of receiving target designation. The drone does not have automatic target acquisition; it is controlled by the operator. The drones are equipped with replaceable warheads, including RGD-5, F-1, and similar grenades. Drones can also be intercepted kinetically, without the drone using its warhead. Interceptor drones are recoverable and can be repaired. The Sokol-I drone flies at a speed of 160 km/h, has a range of up to 25 kilometers, and can fly at altitudes of up to 5 kilometers. Weighing less than 5 kg, the drone is presumably very inexpensive.