Ukrainian intelligence reveals Russian Geran drone armed with missile to target Ukrainian aircraft
Defence Intelligence of Ukraine has posted details of the design, components and the network of companies involved in producing Russia's Geran-2 UAV (series E) equipped with an R-60 air-to-air missile.
Source: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) on Telegram and the War&Sanctions portal (Components in Weapons section)
Quote: "The aggressor state has adapted an old Soviet design – the R-60 air-to-air missile – for installation on Geran drones in order to target Ukrainian helicopters and aircraft that hunt Russian UAVs."
Details: It is specified that the missile, fitted with an APU-60-1MD (P-62-1MD) aircraft launcher, is mounted on a special bracket located on the upper front section of the Geran's fuselage.
DIU stated that the UAV is equipped with two network cameras – one in the nose and another behind the missile launcher. Video transmission and control commands are carried out via a Chinese Xingkay Tech XK-F358 mesh modem.
"The flight controller, navigation, and inertial units remain the same as for other Geran drones. For satellite navigation under conditions of active electronic warfare, a 12-channel jam-resistant Kometa module is used," the intelligence agency added.
DIU noted that the electronic components also include a Raspberry Pi 4 single-board microcomputer (UK), a tracker and two GSM modems for transmitting telemetry.
The countries of origin of the electronic component base, according to Defence Intelligence, remain typical for Russian UAVs of this type: the United States, China, Switzerland, Taiwan, Japan, Germany and the United Kingdom.
"The likely principle of missile employment involves transmitting images from the cameras installed on the drone to the operator via the mesh modem. If a Ukrainian aircraft or helicopter enters the strike zone, the operator sends a command to the missile's automation unit to launch it. After launch, the R-60's infrared homing head independently locks onto the target. A variant involving pre-launch target acquisition by the seeker and the transfer of this information to the operator, who then gives the launch command, is also possible," the intelligence service stressed.
It is noted that the main purpose of the new development is to pose a threat to the Ukrainian armed forces and tactical aircraft and to reduce their effectiveness in intercepting Russian UAVs.
DIU believes that Russia's multipurpose version of the Iranian-made Shahed-136 has acquired an additional role, and that experience from such use is likely to be passed on to Iran as well.
Background:
- Recently, DIU identified the manufacturers of components for the Iskander 9M723 ballistic missile that are not yet subject to sanctions.
- Prior to that, Ukrainian intelligence published the structure, components and foreign-made electronics of the Iranian-made Shahed-107 UAV, which Russia is using to strike frontline regions of Ukraine.
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