The russian defense manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern has announced the development of the KUB-SM system, a reconnaissance and strike platform incorporating multiple loitering munitions, which is set to be presented at the IDEX-2025 exhibition in the UAE in the second half of February.
According to the announcement, the system is designed for swarm drone operations and includes two types of UAVs, along with a dedicated launch and control vehicle.
Read more: russia Unveils New KUB-2 Kamikaze Drone, but Ukraine Has Already Took Notice
The drones are standardized and feature containerized launch systems, necessitating foldable wings.
The first type is a strike drone intended to target unarmored and lightly armored vehicles, as well as enemy personnel. This suggests it likely carries a relatively small, multi-purpose warhead.
The second drone is a UAV that serves both reconnaissance and signal relay functions. Based on released images, it appears to be equipped with a parachute-based landing system.
The exact specifications of the UAVs—such as operational range, dimensions, and payload capacity—have not been disclosed. Additionally, Kalashnikov Concern has not revealed which division developed these drones. However, the design appears to be heavily inspired by the Altius drone from the American company Anduril, which supplies similar systems to Ukraine. Like the KUB-SM, Altius features a containerized launch system and is available in both strike and reconnaissance variants.
Regarding the launch system, the armored Ural truck chassis is expected to house a control station, communication systems, and 16 transport-launch containers—14 designated for strike drones and two for relay drones.
The current stage of the project remains unknown, but more details may emerge at IDEX-2025, where the KUB-SM system could be presented as an image, a model, or a fully developed prototype.
Notably, Kalashnikov Concern has also announced that its new KUB-2 strike drone will be showcased at the same exhibition. The russian army is already using this drone on the front lines. This suggests that the KUB-SM system may also be undergoing similar frontline testing.
Read more: The russian Kub-BLA Drone with 3 kg Warhead Allegedly Received Artificial Intelligence
