Trembita (cruise missile)
| Trembita Трембіта | |
|---|---|
| Type | Cruise missile |
| Place of origin |  Ukraine |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2023–present[1] |
| Used by | Ukraine |
| Wars | 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | PARS |
| Unit cost | USD 10,000 |
| Produced | 2023 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 100 kg (220 lb) |
| Warhead | 20-25 kg thermobaric, HE-fragmentation warhead[2] |
| Engine | Pulsejet engine |
Operational range | 140 km (87 mi) |
| Flight altitude | 20–2,000 m (66–6,600 ft) |
| Maximum speed | 400 km/h (250 mph) |
Guidance system | GPS/GLONASS |
Launch platform | Mobile ground platform |
Trembita (ukrainian: Трембіта) – Ukrainian surface-to-surface cruise missile with a range of about 140 kilometers, manufactured by PARS.[3]
Description
The Trembita is structurally similar to the German V-1 flying bomb from the Second World War.[4][5] The missile is powered by a (now rarely used) pulsejet engine, which allows it to reach a speed of about 400 km/h. This engine generates 100 dB of sound and large amounts of heat, making the Trembita an attractive target for enemy air defenses, especially MANPADS missiles.[6][7] The missile has a range of about 140 kilometers, its minimum flight altitude is 30 m, and the maximum ceiling is 2,000 m.[8] E92 or E95 gasoline is used as fuel. The fuel supply is 30 liters.[9] Trembita, due to the type of engine used, is equipped with a rocket accelerator, enabling proper launch. These missiles are usually launched from mobile launchers usually carrying about 20-30 missiles.[10][4][7]
Application
Due to its simplicity and low price, this missile may be an equivalent of the Iranian Shahed 131 drone used massively by the Russians during the War in Ukraine.[9] The cost of producing one Trembita is about USD 10,000 and it is many times lower than the cost of production of missiles designed to fight it.[4] Taking into account the above-mentioned features, the missile can function both as a classic cruise missile, used to attack targets in the rear of the front, as well as a decoy used to overload the enemy's anti-aircraft defense.[7]
Name
The name of the projectile refers to the characteristic shape of the trembita, an instrument that somewhat resembles the shape of the engine used in this machine - a long, straight tube flared at the end.[11][7]
References
- ^ Joe Barnes, Maighna Nanu (2 May 2023). "Ukrainians build homemade missiles with double the range of Himars". The Telegraph. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ "Ukraine is developing a Trembita missile". Militarnyi. 30 April 2023. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ "Ukraina ma nowy pocisk. Ma przebijać obronę przeciwlotniczą, a przy tym być tani i niszczycielski". CHIP - Technologie mamy we krwi! (in Polish). 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ a b c Harding, Luke (2023-07-09). "'It's simple and cheap': the volunteers making Ukraine's Trembita bomb". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ Post, Kyiv. "Improvise, Adapt, Overcome – the Trembita Missile and Other Ukrainian DIY Weapons". Get the Latest Ukraine News Today - KyivPost. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ "Oto Trembita. Pierwszy ukraiński pocisk manewrujący powstaje w garażu?". geekweek.interia.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ a b c d "Ukraińska "wunderwaffe"?". defence24.pl (in Polish). 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ "Ukrainian volunteers create Trembita missile". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ a b "Ukraiński pocisk manewrujący Trembita. Broń napędzana silnikiem pulsacyjnym". WP Tech (in Polish). 2023-05-04. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ "Ukraiński bbsl z silnikiem pulsacyjnym". www.altair.com.pl. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- ^ "Ukrainian volunteers develop inexpensive missiles to 'overwhelm' Russian air defences". France 24. 2023-07-30. Retrieved 2023-08-30.