Ukraine turns Liutyi drone into missile carrier
Photo: Liutyi attack drones have been converted into missile carriers (facebook.com/14RegARMY)
Ukrainian strike drone Liutyi was transformed into a missile carrier. The new development was shown for the first time at an international exhibition in Farnborough, England, reports Oboronka.
The stand also showcased missiles that are intended to be used for strikes at a depth of up to 200 kilometers.
Mock-ups of missiles were installed under the wings of the strike drone. They have a stated strike range of up to 200 kilometers and a flight speed of up to 500 km/h. The missiles will allow Liutyi to be used as a reusable platform for strikes deep behind the front line.
About the An-196 Liutyi
The An-196 Liutyi is a Ukrainian long-range kamikaze drone. The development of this drone was first announced by Ukroboronprom in October 2022. At the time, it was reported that the plan was to create an unmanned aerial vehicle weighing more than 200 kg that could deliver a 75 kg warhead over a distance of more than 1,000 kilometers.
The first production batch was ready in August 2023. On August 28, 2023, Ukraine's Special Operations Forces attacked the base of the 126th Coastal Defense Brigade of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Perevalne.
Earlier, Germany allocated more than 100 million euros to Ukraine for An-196-type strike drones, which are expected to have an operational range of more than 2,000 kilometers. With German funding, Ukraine could produce several hundred combat drones.
Ukrainian strike drones Liutyi, which attacked a Shahed production plant in Russia's Izhevsk, had an unusual design. The drones that carried out this long-range attack did not have landing gear.
