Katran naval drones to be equipped with UAVs for strikes deep into Russian coastal territory
Ukrainian companies MAC HUB and Sky Defenders have signed a memorandum of cooperation that provides for the integration of Sky Defenders UAVs into the Katran family of uncrewed surface vessels (USVs).
Source: MAC HUB
Details: Sky Defenders UAVs are expected to be integrated into Katran USVs in the near future. However, the company has not yet specified which drone models will be used.
Sky Defenders specialises in the development of combat uncrewed systems. MAC HUB said the company has developed three UAV models for offensive and defensive missions that have been used in combat for almost two years. Sky Defenders also has active contracts with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence.
The company's developments include the Zigzag-S, a medium-range tactical fixed-wing strike UAV.
The Zigzag-S is catapult-launched and designed for single-use combat missions. Its stated range is more than 150 km, its top speed is 250 km/h and its warhead weighs 3-5 kg.
In addition, Sky Defenders, in collaboration with LAB254, is working to integrate a machine-learning module into its drones to predict target trajectories, as well as an AI-autolock function for automatic target acquisition.
MAC HUB said it is developing its own solutions for use on land, in the air and at sea, but believes that development within a closed ecosystem has limitations. The company therefore works with its Ukrainian and international partners.
According to MAC HUB, experts with combat experience are involved in the company's projects. On the end-user side – the Ukrainian military – MAC HUB's projects are overseen by a special forces serviceman who goes by the alias "Deviatyi" ("Ninth"), commander of a maritime operations unit of the Black Sea Legion of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.
"We already have clear targets, and now we will be able to reach the enemy at a distance of 2,000 km. Our plans include strikes on coastal defences and destroying Russian radar systems, air defence systems, command personnel and critical infrastructure," Deviatyi said.
He added that this generally concerns Russian assets located near bodies of water.
MAC HUB and Sky Defenders plan to disclose further details of their cooperation at a later date.
The Katran family of USVs has a stated operational range of more than 1,500 km. Depending on the configuration, they can be equipped with MAC Thunder strike FPV drones, other FPV drones and MAC Dead Fly interceptor drones.
The strike version, the Katran X3, can carry a 300 kg warhead. Other stated capabilities of the family include a unified control centre, an AI-powered system, a 360-degree camera and an acoustic system for detecting aerial targets.
Background: A Katran X1.2 USV equipped with 27 MAC Dead Fly interceptor drones was demonstrated during trials on the Dnipro River. The Black Sea Legion had previously confirmed attacks on Russian oil and gas platforms in the Black Sea. The Katran X1.2 had also been used in operations last autumn.
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