Ukrainian radio technology expert gives details of Russian Shahed drone fitted with man-portable air defence system
A man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) that was found mounted on one of Russia's Shahed-type attack drones in early January has been set to lock on to a target and fire.
Source: Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian military radio technology expert
Details: Beskrestnov said that the drone operator only needs to wait until a Ukrainian plane or helicopter is directly on the drone's course.
The drone is fitted with a "good forward-facing camera" and the drone operator has a video feed from the UAV. The MANPADS that the Russians attached to the drone had been set in advance to target-acquisition and launch mode.
Quote: "All the pilot needs to do is catch the target directly on course and press the servomotor, which will puncture the coolant bottle for the seeker head and the missile will launch."
More details: Beskrestnov advises Ukrainian military pilots not to close in on Shahed-type drones in a small circle and not to attack the UAV head-on.
Background:
- MANPADS was found for the first time on a Russian Shahed-type attack drone on 4 January. Besides the weapon, the UAV used by Russian forces is equipped with a camera and a radio modem, with the missile launch intended to be carried out by a pilot operating from Russia.
- On 2 January, Beskrestnov reported that an infrared spotlight had been found on a Shahed loitering munition. The Russians are likely using this device to counter Ukrainian interceptor drones. Ukrainska Pravda reported earlier that Russia is installing radio modems on Shahed and Gerbera loitering munitions, forming a network between UAVs that are capable of being controlled in real time from Russia.
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