Witness the drone that helped Ukraine shoot down a Russian fighter jet

Recently, the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service (GUR) released new video and detailed information about the Magura-7 (sometimes also written as Magura V7) unmanned surface vessel. Photo: @GUR.

The Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service claimed to have used this Magura-7 unmanned surface vessel to shoot down two Russian Su-30 Flanker multirole fighters on May 2. Photo: @GUR.

New video shows the Magura-7 unmanned surface vessel armed with two AIM-9M Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles. The missiles are loaded onto rails that are raised before launch, but do not appear to show any sideways movement. Photo: @GUR.

This is notable because, as The War Zone has previously pointed out, the M variant of the Sidewinder missile lacks the off-axis aiming capability (HOBS) of the infrared-guided R-73 (AA-11 Archer) short-range air-to-air missile. The HOBS-capable R-73 missile carries an articulated seeker, which makes it easier to lock onto moving targets when mounted on a fixed launch rail. Photo: @GUR.

So, the AIM-9M Sidewinder missile on the Magura-7 appears to have to be physically oriented relatively precisely towards the target before launch. According to some experts, positioning parameters for a successful interception from this platform can be very difficult, especially when adding the factor that the drone is also bouncing up and down as it moves on the wave surface. Photo: @GUR.

In addition to the public introduction of the Magura-7, GUR’s video also provides new details. The vessel is about 7.1 meters long, has a range of up to 540 nautical miles, can operate autonomously for at least 48 hours and up to seven days with generator power. The vessel weighs about 1,270 kg when empty and nearly 3,401 kg when loaded. Photo: @GUR.

The 270-horsepower diesel engine gives it a top speed of 39 knots and a cruising speed of 23 knots. The vessel also has multiple video feeds for remote operators to exploit, with a day/night gyro-stabilized tower that can be used for general surveillance and target designation. Photo: @GUR.

The Magura-7 shares similar lines to its predecessor, the Magura-5, but features a reshaped bow. This feature suggests improved seakeeping capabilities, which would be useful for winter operations. Photo: @GUR.

The Magura-7 is also seen with a number of communications and sensor antennas, with at least three rectangular satellite communications antennas, one at the bow and two at the stern, as well as electro-optical or infrared cameras to aid navigation and targeting. Photo: @GUR.

When engaging aerial threats with AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, the Magura-7 will need sensors capable of scanning the sky to provide initial signals for the missiles. Photo: @GUR.

It can be seen that the Magura-7 ship equipped with AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles is a real new threat to fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters operating in and around the Black Sea, which Russian forces must now take into account. Photo: @GUR.

At the same time, as Ukraine’s drone capabilities develop, Russian fighter jets and helicopters are increasingly being used in missions against these vehicles, through direct attacks with guns and other munitions, but this requires flying at lower altitudes. Of course, the Magura-7, equipped with AIM-9M Sidewinder missiles, can use this very momentum to lure the enemy into its sights. Photo: @GUR.

The commander (unnamed) of Group 13, the drone unit of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service, spoke about the course of the campaign against Russia: “Over two years of combat operations using various types of Magura drones, Ukrainian military intelligence specialists attacked a total of 17 Russian naval and air targets, 15 of which were completely destroyed. Group 13 pushed the Black Sea Fleet of the Russian Federation to its bases. They were limited in their actions, they could not carry out any of the intended tasks.” Photo: @GUR.

In addition to the Su-30 Flanker and Mi-8 aircraft downed by the Magura-7, the list also includes “large ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet – Sergey Kotov, Ivanovets, Tsezar Kunikov and others. The damage caused to Russia is estimated at more than half a billion dollars”. Photo: @Wikipedia.

Ukrainian military expert Mykhailo Samus said: "The development and combat success of unmanned surface vessels in the Black Sea region is causing naval doctrines in other countries around the world to be reconsidered." Photo: @GUR.

“The classic 20th century large-ship fleet is losing out to the latest unmanned surface combatants. Thanks to Magura and other naval drones, a change in military doctrine is already underway,” said Mykhailo Samus. Photo: @TWZ.

He added: “The Magura unmanned ships are “a modern fleet of the 21st century. I believe that right now, in a large-scale war, Ukraine and the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service, as the leader in this field, have really created a revolution… Patrolling the sea, controlling communications at sea, destroying air and sea targets… All this has become a reality. This is a new doctrine that has become a reality in Ukraine.” Photo: @Мілітарний.

It remains unclear how many Magura-7 GUR surface ships are in service, how many are armed with AIM-9 missiles or machine guns, or the exact role of the machine gun-equipped variants. When asked, the head of the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Service, Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov, told The War Zone team: “Sorry, that information is classified.” Photo: @GUR.

Source: https://khoahocdoisong.vn/tan-muc-tau-khong-nguoi-lai-giup-ukraine-ban-ha-tiem-kich-nga-post1542348.html