First known Shahed drone carrying air-to-air missile destroyed by Ukrainian forces
A Russian Shahed drone carrying an air-to-air missile – a combination seen for the first time – has been destroyed by Ukrainian forces.
Source: Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian radio technology expert
Quote from Flash: "Today, for the first time, an R-60 air-to-air missile was detected on a Shahed. This combination is intended to destroy helicopters and tactical aviation aircraft that hunt Shaheds."
Details: Beskrestnov also posted a photo showing the downed drone with the missile still attached.
According to open sources, the R-60 (Soviet designation izdeliye 62, NATO reporting name AA-8 Aphid) is a Soviet short-range air-to-air missile. Its development began in 1967. The R-60 is equipped with a proximity fuze – radar, optical or combined – and its warhead enables it to destroy a target within a radius of up to 2.5 metres. The missile has a range of up to 10 km.
Background:
- It was recently reported that Russian forces have started using Shahed-type drones to target Ukrainian aircraft and helicopters midair. Ukraine's Deputy Defence Minister for Innovations, Yurii Myronenko, confirmed the development to Business Insider.
- These drones are piloted by operators. So far there have been no confirmed cases of Ukrainian aircraft being shot down by them.
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