MAGURA V5

MAGURA V5 (Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus V-type) is a Ukrainian multi-purpose unmanned surface boat capable of performing various tasks: surveillance, reconnaissance, patrolling, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, maritime security, and combat missions.[1]

Development

In November 2022, the Ukrainian government announced the development of a Ukrainian combat surface drone with a range of up to 800 km.[2] The boat was first presented at the International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF), which took place from July 25 to 28, 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey.[3] On July 29, 2023, a CNN report confirmed that the MAGURA V5 kamikaze boat already exists not only as an exhibition model, but also as a system that is fully operational.[4]

Operational use

In November 2023 in one documented operational use of the drones, two landing craft docked at a Russian Navy base in Chornomorske, in western Crimea were destroyed.[5]

In early 2024 Ukrainian Intelligence Director Kyrilo Budanov indicated several MAGURA V5s were responsible for the sinking of the Russian Tarantul-III class missile corvette Ivanovets.[6]

On 14 February 2024, several MAGURA V5 drones were purportedly used to attack and sink the large landing ship Caesar Kunikov near the coastal city of Alupka in Russian-occupied Crimea.[7]

Tactical and technical characteristics

Some technical characteristics of the drone were published by the Ministry of Digital Transformation in November 2022:[2]

  • Length: 5.5 m
  • Gross weight: < 1000 kg
  • Operating range: up to 400 km
  • Range of operation: up to 800 km
  • Range: up to 60 hours
  • Payload: up to 200 kg
  • Cruising speed: 41 km/h
  • Maximum speed: 42 nm/h (78 km/h)
  • Navigation methods: automatic GNSS, inertial, visual
  • Video transmission: up to three HD video streams
  • Cryptographic protection: 256-bit encryption
  • Cost of Production: about 273,000 USD

It is reported that in addition to the drone itself, equipped with an autopilot system, video subsystems, including night vision, redundant communication modules and a combat unit, it includes a ground-based autonomous control station, a transportation and storage system, and a data center.

References

  1. ^ "MAGURA V5 — новий український морський безпілотник" [MAGURA V5 is a new Ukrainian marine drone]. ITC.ua. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  2. ^ a b "Україна розкрила деталі про ударні морські БПА" [Ukraine has revealed details about sea-based air defense missile defense systems]. Мілітарний (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  3. ^ "Українські інженери представили морський дрон Magura V5 (фото)" [Ukrainian engineers presented the Magura V5 marine drone (photo)]. Главком | Glavcom (in Ukrainian). 2023-07-26. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
  4. ^ 'Faster than anything else in the Black Sea': See Ukraine's latest sea drone, CNN, retrieved 2023-08-31
  5. ^ Altman, Howard (2023-11-10). "Sea Drones Attack Russian Landing Craft In Crimean Port". The War Zone. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  6. ^ Altman, Howard (2024-02-01). "Ukraine Sinks Russian Navy Missile Corvette In Drone Boat Attack". The War Zone. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
  7. ^ Kirby, Paul (2024-02-14). "Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov sunk off Crimea, says Ukraine". BBC. Retrieved 2024-02-14.