Illustrative image. (Screengrab\The Russian Ministry of Defense)
The Russian military has been actively using Molniya-2 fixed-wing FPV suicide drones to target Kiev forces across the special military operation zone.
On April 26, the Russian Ministry of Defense released video footage showing recent strikes which were carried out with Molniya-2 drones against troops, equipment and positions of Kiev forces near the city of Krasnoarmeysk in the Donetsk direction.
This was the sixth such video released by the ministry since the start of the month, which shows that the use of the Molniya-2 is increasing.
The Molniya-2 has earned a reputation as the AK-47 Kalashnikov of drones due to its simplicity, affordability, and battlefield effectiveness.
The twin-engine electric drone is made out of cheap materials like plywood, aluminum tubing and plastic. It is said to have a range of 40 kilometers and can carry a payload weighing up to ten kilograms. The drone typically carries a TM-62 blast mine, a KZ-6 shaped charge or dual RPO-A thermobaric warheads.
The control system of the drone is very similar to the basic ones used in FPV suicide quadcopter. It includes a camera and a two-way radio data-link. The drone cap can be assembled in around 15 minutes and is typically launched using a simple catapult system.
The Molniya-2 allows Russian troops to hit targets located right behind the line of sight with sufficient precision and firepower. By this, it fills the gap between FPV quadcopters and larger, more expensive unmanned systems, like the Lancet loitering munition.
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needs the little whistle the v2 rocket and the stuka used.
and maybe a smiley face on the nose cone.
north koreans will help russia to liberate kharkov and odessa. soon.
a cheap and effective system to hunt all type of ukro armor and artillery.
the 10kg warhead should be enough for any armor.
cheap, simple and lethal
nice and simple with a good payload, too many russian drones are underarmed but not this one.