ZALA Lancet
The ZALA Lancet is an UAV/loitering munition developed by Russian company ZALA Aero Group (part of Kalashnikov Concern) for the Russian Armed Forces. It was first unveiled in June 2019 during the ARMY-2019 military expo held in Moscow.[1][2] It is a further development of the ZALA KYB-UAV, also known as KUB-BLA, loitering munition.[3]
Description
The ZALA Lancet can be used for both reconnaissance and strike missions, it has a maximum range of 40 km and maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) up to 12 kg. In combat mode, it can be armed either with high-explosive (HE) or HE-fragmentation warheads. It features optical-electronic guidance as well as TV guidance unit, that allows the munition to be controlled on the terminal stage of flight.[2] The drone features intelligence, navigation and communications modules.[4] According to Zala Aero Chief Designer Alexander Zakharov, the Lancet can be used in so called "air mining" role. In this role, the drone dives in maximum speed up to 300 km/h and strikes enemy UCAVs mid-flight. Lancet can be launched via catapult launcher from ground or sea platforms like the Raptor-class patrol boats.[5]
Operational history
The Lancet has been combat tested in Syria during the Russian military intervention in the Syrian civil war since at least November 2020.[4] In April 2021, it was engaged in strikes against militants in the Idlib Governorate.[5]
On 8 June 2022, Russian defence corporation Rostec announced that Lancet and KUB drones were deployed during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[6] A month later, the first footage of their combat use in Ukraine emerged.[3]
In October-November 2022, numerous videos of Russia backed war journalists have emerged in their Telegram accounts showing Lancet drones striking various Ukrainian military equipment including two S-300 launchers,[7] a Buk-M1 missile system,[8] two Italian FH70 artilleries,[9][10] an American M777 attillery[11] and two Norwegian M109A3GN artilleries.[12][13]. Russian ministry of defence in their official Telegram account showed lancet destroying 2A65 Msta-B howitzer. [14]
On 4 November 2022, a Gyurza-M-class gunboat of the Ukrainian Navy was damaged by a Lancet drone. The attack was recorded on video by another UAV.[15]
Variants
- Lancet-3
- Basic and bigger variant with 40 minutes endurance, maximum payload of 3 kg (12 kg MTOW) and maximum speed of 80–110 km/h.[2][5]
- Lancet-1
- Smaller version of Lancet-3. It carries 1 kg of payload (5 kg MTOW) and has endurance of 30 minutes.[2][5]
Russian troops in Ukraine have begun using the upgraded Lancet loitering munitions with an increased flight duration of one hour and a more powerful warhead weighing more than five kilograms, which is at least two kilograms more than the basic version of the drone. For strikes against manpower, "Lancets" with a high-explosive fragmentation or thermobaric warhead are used, against armored vehicles - with a HEAT warhead.[16][17]
Operators
References
- ^ "Kalashnikov presented precision UAV weapon system ZALA LANCET". ruaviation.com. 25 June 2019.
- ^ a b c d "Army 2019: ZALA Aero unveils new loitering munitions". armyrecognition.com. 1 July 2019.
- ^ a b "1st Footage Of Russia's Kamikaze 'Suicide' Drone Emerges; Loitering Lancets Bust Ukraine's 'Western Armory'". eurasiantimes.com. 23 July 2022.
- ^ a b "Zala Lancet". deagel.com.
- ^ a b c d "Russian Lancet loitering munitions tested in Syria". armyrecognition.com. 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Kamikaze drones successfully used in Russia's special operation in Ukraine — defense firm". TASS. 8 June 2022.
- ^ "Colonelcassad". Telegram. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ "Watch: Lancet UAV diving and destroying Buk-M1 air defense system". bulgarianmilitary.com. 29 October 2022.
- ^ "Рыбарь". Telegram. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ "Повёрнутые на Z войне 🇷🇺". Telegram. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ "Colonelcassad". Telegram. Retrieved 4 November 2022.
- ^ "Colonelcassad". Telegram. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Colonelcassad". Telegram. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Минобороны России". Telegram. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
- ^ "Russian loitering munition Lancet hits Ukrainian Gyurza M class gunboat for first time". navyrecognition.com. 4 November 2022.
- ^ "ЦАМТО / / Российская армия начала применять на Украине барражирующие боеприпасы «Ланцет» с усиленной БЧ" [Russian army began to use Lancet loitering munitions with enhanced warheads in Ukraine]. armstrade.org (in Russian).
- ^ "Russia's Mod Releases Video of Kamikaze Drone Strikes against Ukrainian Troops".