Videos have recently emerged showcasing a Russian-converted civilian drone retrofitted with a Soviet-era anti-tank missile launcher.

As per Interesting Engineering, the footage depicts the drone, identified as a Perun-F quadcopter, equipped with a 9M111 "Fagot" guide-by-wire anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), igniting discussions about the rapidly-evolving drone warfare in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

One expert suggested that the modified drone, named a "heavy assault quadcopter," appears to be based on the Chinese EFT Z50 agricultural spraying drone, highlighting the adaptability of commercially available technology for combat purposes.

Analysts express bewilderment over the utility of the weaponized drone, given its seemingly unguided missile launch without direct human control, potentially limiting its effectiveness in hitting targets at longer ranges.

A Closer Look

One key aspect of concern is the payload capacity of the Perun-F quadcopter. With a maximum capacity of 110 pounds (50 kg), including the drone's battery, the addition of the 28-pound (12.7 kg) "Bassoon" missile and its components significantly pushes the drone to its limits.

The potential implications of such modifications raise questions about the tactical advantages of deploying a heavier drone with a missile system that may lack precision without direct human guidance.

Popular Mechanics tells us that while the video showcases the drone's capability to launch the missile while airborne and on the ground, the absence of a human operator manipulating controls during the launch raises doubts about its practicality in combat scenarios.

In contrast to other remotely piloted first-person view "kamikaze" drones, this retrofit may face obsolescence due to the challenge of effectively guiding the missile toward distant targets.

The Z50 agricultural spraying drone, on which the Perun-F is based, boasts a hovering capability of up to 7 minutes with a maximum payload and 20 minutes when unloaded. It is controlled through a remote device with a 5.5-inch screen, providing a range of up to 1.86 miles (3 km).

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Drones and the Russia-Ukraine Conflicts

In a broader context, civilian volunteers on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict have been actively modifying commercially available drones for combat use. Ukrainian innovations, such as drone boats and cheap first-person-view kamikaze drones, have garnered attention for their effectiveness.

Russian volunteers, however, have taken a different approach, opting for a larger anti-tank guided missile—an unconventional move that challenges the capabilities of commercially available drones.

In Similar News

Footage has surfaced showing a Russian soldier successfully dodging a Ukrainian drone. Shared by the 105th Infantry Regiment of the Donetsk People's Republic 1st Army Corps, the video depicts a soldier strategically luring the drone towards him before narrowly escaping its explosive impact (via Business Insider).

The use of drones on both sides for surveillance, directing attacks, and explosive strikes has intensified, with one soldier revealing that the sheer number of drones in the sky has drawn comparisons to the brutality of World War I.

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