Drones news
Russia developing kamikaze drone that hits target & detonates - report
<p><strong>One of the drone models used by Russia is to be modified to be used as a kamikaze, Russian media said. Such drones can be used to suppress enemy air defenses or to provide tactical-level air support to units in the field.</strong></p>
<p><strong><em>“A drone which would act similar to a fire ship is being developed now. It detonates after hitting a target,”</em> a defense source told TASS.</strong></p>
<p>The project is based on a model already in use, the source added, refraining to provide further details.</p>
<p>So-called kamikaze drones are small unmanned aircraft, which carry onboard explosives. Unlike larger drones that fire missiles at their targets, a kamikaze drone simply flies into it and sets off an explosion. The advantage is that the aircraft can be cheaper, lighter and harder to detect.</p>
<p>Similar weapons are being developed or are already in use in some other countries. The Pentagon has the AeroVironment Switchblade, a 2.7 kg UAV designed for infantry platoons. With a range of up to 10km and endurance of just 10 minutes, it can be used for precision strikes at covered targets, such as an enemy ambush.</p>
<p>Israel has Harpy and Harop, kamikaze drones produced by Israel Aerospace Industries, which are meant to destroy enemy radar stations. A small drone can approach a radar undetected close enough to avoid anti-aircraft systems. Harop was allegedly used by Azerbaijan in a recent offensive operation against its breakaway region Nagorni Karabakh to destroy command posts.</p>
5/29/2016
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