Russia repurposes Molniya strike drones into cheap reconnaissance tools
Russian drone (photo: Russian media)
Advisor to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Serhii Beskrestnov reported that Russia has modified its Molniya attack drones, turning them into cheap tools for reconnaissance and surveillance on the battlefield, reports Business Insider.
New role for Blyskavka drones
Previously, these unmanned aerial vehicles were considered one-way attack drones that exploded upon impact with a target.
According to Business Insider, some of the drones have now been assigned a new mission, reconnaissance and surveillance, making them more versatile on the battlefield.
Technical improvements
According to Serhii Beskrestnov, some drones are being equipped with additional batteries to extend flight range, high-resolution cameras, and a network modem for stable communication.
The reconnaissance version lacks a warhead but has been fitted with a microcomputer and a camera with 10x optical zoom.
Cost efficiency
The modified Molniya drones cost Russia significantly less than expensive reconnaissance UAVs such as the Supercam or Zala Z-16.
According to Beskrestnov’s estimate, for the price of a single Supercam, 10 to 15 Molniya drones can be produced, reducing dependence on expensive equipment that can cost up to $100,000 per unit.
Impressions of Ukrainian soldiers
Dmytro Zhluktenko, a soldier with the 413th Regiment of Unmanned Systems, noted that producing the modified drones is relatively simple, making them an ideal balance of cost and quality for reconnaissance missions.
He described this effort as a war of scale, emphasizing that such drones allow the Russian army to rapidly increase both the number and effectiveness of its surveillance capabilities.
Roboneers announced the creation of a new transformer drone, the Bulldog, which can simultaneously serve as a communications relay and for equipment delivery.
The Ukrainian company Roboneers has unveiled a modernized version of the Shablya K-2 remotely operated combat module.
