MAGURA V5 (Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus V-type)[note 1] is a Ukrainian multi-purpose unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed for use by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine[1] (HUR) capable of performing various tasks: surveillance, reconnaissance, patrolling, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, maritime security, and combat missions.[2]
| MAGURA V5 | |
|---|---|
 MAGURA V5 on a 2024 stamp of Ukraine | |
| Type | Unmanned surface vehicle |
| Place of origin | Ukraine |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Main Directorate of Intelligence in conjunction with the 385th USV Brigade |
| Production history | |
| Unit cost | $273,000 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | less than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) |
| Length | 5.5 m (18 ft) |
Main armament | Explosive payload (up to 200 kg) |
Operational range | up to 800 kilometres |
| Maximum speed | 78 km/h |
Development
editHUR signed contracts to design a new USV with private companies who had previously worked with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in designing USVs, however had their partnerships terminated due to disputes with the SBU over project specifications and budget. A new partnership with HUR was formed that started the project which eventually developed the MAGURA V5.[1]
In November 2022, the Ukrainian government announced the development of a Ukrainian combat surface drone with a range of up to 800 km.[3] The boat was first presented at the International Defence Industry Fair, which took place from 25 to 28 July 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey.[4] On 29 July 2023, a CNN report confirmed that the MAGURA V5 kamikaze boat existed not only as an exhibition model but also as an operational system.[5]
Unlike the Sea Baby used by the SBU, which carries a heavier explosive payload and is primarily used to strike stationary targets such as ships docked in port, the MAGURA V5 is designed for striking warships at sea due to its smaller size and better manoeuvrability.[1]
Both the MAGURA and Sea Baby were inducted into the 385th USV Brigade after its formation as the world's first USV unit in August 2023 although their operatives were still GUR and SBU.[6]
Operational use
editIn November 2023, in one documented operational use of the drones, one Serna-class landing craft and one Akula-class landing craft docked at a Russian Navy base in Chornomorske, in western Crimea were destroyed.[7]
On 1 February 2024, several MAGURA V5 drones struck and sank the Tarantul-III class missile corvette Ivanovets in the Black Sea near Lake Donuzlav in Crimea.[8]
On 14 February 2024, several MAGURA V5 drones were used to attack and sink the large landing ship Tsezar Kunikov near Alupka in Russian-occupied Crimea.[9] The sinking of the ship has been confirmed by Russian sources.[10][11]
On 5 March 2024, MAGURA V5 drones were used in an attack that sank the patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait.[12][13]
On 30 May 2024, the Main Directorate of Intelligence confirmed the destruction of two Russian boats of the KC-701 Tuna type with the help of Magura V5 strike marine drones.[14][15][16]
On 10 August 2024, it destroyed a Russian KS 701 Tunets high-speed boat near the settlement of Chornomorske.[17]
Tactical and technical characteristics
editSome technical characteristics of the drone were published by the Ministry of Digital Transformation in November 2022:[3]
- 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, at least one R-73 air-to-air missile.[18]
- Cruising speed: 41 km/h
- Maximum speed: 42 kt (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 US$273,000
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 centre.
See also
edit- Sea Baby – USV developed for use by the Security Service of Ukraine
- Marichka – Ukrainian autonomous underwater vehicle
Notes
edit- ^ Named after Magura, the goddess of war and victory from Slavic neopagan mythology.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Roman Romaniuk (March 4, 2024). "Target and eliminate: How Ukraine's Magura drones devastate Russian ships". Ukrainska Pravda. Archived from the original on March 5, 2024.
- ^ "MAGURA V5 — новий український морський безпілотник" [MAGURA V5 is a new Ukrainian marine drone]. ITC.ua. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 2023-08-31.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ 'Faster than anything else in the Black Sea': See Ukraine's latest sea drone (Video with transcript). CNN. 2023-07-28 – via YouTube.
- ^ Sutton, H. I. (2023-08-31). "World's First Specialized Explosive Naval Drone Unit Formed In Ukraine". Naval News. Archived from the original on 2023-08-31. Retrieved 2023-09-01.
- ^ Altman, Howard (2023-11-10). "Sea Drones Attack Russian Landing Craft In Crimean Port". The War Zone. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ Altman, Howard (2024-02-01). "Ukraine Sinks Russian Navy Missile Corvette In Drone Boat Attack". The War Zone. Retrieved 2024-02-03.
- ^ Kirby, Paul (2024-02-14). "Russian landing ship Caesar Kunikov sunk off Crimea, says Ukraine". BBC. Retrieved 2024-02-14.
- ^ Chris Panella (March 7, 2024). "A Russian warship's last-resort machine-gun fire wasn't enough to defeat the Ukrainian sea drone assault that sunk it, video shows". Business Insider.
- ^ "Video from the landing ship Caesar Kunikov during the Ukrainian drone attack was released". Ukrainian Military Center. March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Ukrainian sea drones damage Russian Black Sea Fleet patrol ship near Crimea". Reuters. 2024-03-05.
- ^ Mackintosh, Thomas (2024-03-05). "Ukraine war: Russian Black Sea fleet ship sunk in drone attack, Kyiv says". BBC News. Retrieved 2024-03-05.
- ^ Головне управління розвідки МО України (2024-05-30). "Тунець по-кримськи" від ГУР. Retrieved 2024-07-16 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Ukraine's Defence Intelligence confirms destruction of 2 Russian boats in Crimea, 2 more damaged – video". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
- ^ "DIU destroys two Russian boats in Crimea". Militarnyi. Retrieved 2024-07-16.
- ^ "Ukraine's Defence Intelligence fighters destroy another boat near Crimea – video". Ukrainska Pravda. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
- ^ "Ukraine uses naval drones with anti-aircraft missiles". Militarnyi. Retrieved 2024-05-06.
Further reading
edit- Shuster, Simon (2024-08-26). "How Ukraine Beat Russia in the Black Sea". Time. Retrieved 2024-08-27.