An unmanned ground vehiclewas spotted in service with the 28th Separate Mechanized Brigade, equipped with a 9K38 Igla MANPADS to combat enemy aircraft.
Photos of this system were posted by volunteers and on official Instagram page of the 28th Mechanized Brigade, along with an announcement about the start of fundraising for 10 such systems. It is reported that this system has already destroyed one helicopter.
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It is also noted that such a UGV was developed in response to the threat posed by FPV drones, which sometimes makes it impossible to even leave the trench to launch a MANPADS missile. Therefore, such a system allows the operator to remain under cover without exposing themselves to the threat of FPV drones.
From Defense Express we would like to add that, in addition to replacing a MANPADS operator at the front line, this UGV could likely be used to ambush enemy aircraft in the rear with a high chance of success. Thanks to its small size, this UGV could move into the rear unnoticed, take up a favorable position on a hill, and wait for enemy aircraft.
To achieve this, the UGV must be equipped with sufficiently powerful batteries and a reliable communication system to ensure a clear and stable image for effective targeting. In this case, it would be appropriate to use optical fiber, and UGVs have already been used with it before, although they were equipped with completely different weapons.
Currently, assault aircraft and helicopters are typically used only for low-altitude strikes, which means they may not even enter the engagement range of MANPADS or more advanced air defense systems. This significantly complicates the task of engaging them.
However, UGVs equipped with such weapons can help address this issue by deterring the enemy from using low-altitude aviation near the front line, as approaching the launch zone for unguided rockets would carry the risk of being struck by MANPADS.
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