File image.
Russia’s Rubikon advanced unmanned technology center released on August 29 video footage showing an interceptor taking down a Ukrainian AN-196 Liutyi fixed-wing, long-range suicide drone.
The center said that the drone was downed two days earlier, without revealing where this happened or what kind of interceptor was used.
The Liutyi was developed by Ukroboronprom. With a wingspan of 6,7 meters and a mass up to 300 kg it is considered one of the largest suicide drones currently in service with Kiev forces. It has a range of 1,000-2,000 kilometers and can carry a warhead weighing 50-75 kg. The drone is guided via a GPS-aided inertial navigation system.
The interceptor used to take down the Liutyi utilizes the first-point of view (FPV) guidance system. The Russian military expanded the use of such interceptors in recent months.
Most FPV interceptor drones operate in a similar manner. The drone first flies towards the pre-set coordinates of its target, which is typically detected using a ground-based radar or an electro-optical system. As the target moves, the interceptor could receive updates on its location via a data-link.
While making the final approach, the operator takes control of the interceptor and utilizes its FPV camera to guide it towards the target.
While some models carry a warhead that is usually detonated by the operator as close as possible to the target, others rely solely on kinetic energy, meaning they simply ram into the target to take it down in what is commonly known as “hit-to-kill” method.
Earlier this week, a video showing a Russian interceptor taking down a Ukrainain FP-1 suicide drone, which is very comparable to the Liutyi in size and range, surfaced online.
The Liutyi and FP-1 are currently the two most used drones in Ukrainian attacks on Russian territories, especially civilian infrastructure.
The successful interception of both types with interceptor drones highlights systematic work by the Russian military to develop a coast-effective solution to deal with this threat.
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