Russia is working on equipping "Shaheds" with Chinese communication modules to turn these kamikaze drones into barrage munitions of the Lancet type. This is reported by Defence Express with reference to the documents received from the presentation that took place in Russia, UNN writes.
The publication notes that the "Shahed" is launched to hit stationary targets and without the possibility of additional reconnaissance and targeting. A barrage munition is designed to hit, first of all, moving targets that it can find on its own or be homed in on.
The main difference between them is communication, as the barrage munition needs to transmit video and receive control commands. To solve this problem, the enemy is actively cooperating with Chinese companies.
The documents state that Russian specialists have already tested communication modules directly in China. In particular, we are talking about the TX900 product from the Chinese company VCan Group Ltd (commercial brand iVcan). It is noted that during the tests, HD video was received via a repeater at a distance of 220 km with a delay of 60 ms.
This communication module operates at frequencies of 1428 - 1448 MHz or 806 - 826 MHz and supports automatic frequency change depending on interference, and has the ability to transmit an encrypted signal of the AES128 standard, the maximum transmission speed is declared to be 30 Mbps. With a power of 10 W, the product weighs only 242.5 grams.
In addition, Xingkai XK-F403E and Shenzhen Safe Guard SFGTHF0505UF were also tested, but the presentation does not mention their tests and does not emphasize their advantages, and the prices of the products are higher than VCan's TX900.
The publication also writes that another detail indicates the creation of a barrage munition - the intention to install a new 50-kilogram warhead in the Shahed-136, which has a complex combined fragmentation, incendiary and armor-piercing effect.
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The director of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, Oleksandr Ruvin, said earlier that the Russians had begun to supplement the combat unit of the Shaheda with shrapnel.
"The finished striking elements look like tungsten balls of the same diameter. The principle of operation is similar to shrapnel artillery shells. At the moment of detonation, the explosive part explodes, scattering small metal fragments (shrapnel) in different directions. Shrapnel scatters and damages objects in the area of impact. Such a cynical "modification" may indicate the enemy's desire to inflict more damage directly on people. The number of ready-made striking elements that the Russians use to equip the Shahed 136 is not enough to significantly destroy structures or buildings. However, such fragments can cause severe injuries to people directly. The balls cover a large area at the moment of departure and can hit any unprotected part of the body," noted Ruvin.