MAGURA V5
| 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 |
| 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 |
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]
Development[edit]
HUR 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]
Operational use[edit]
In 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.[6]
In early 2024, HUR director Kyrylo Budanov indicated several MAGURA V5s were responsible for the sinking of the Russian Tarantul-III class missile corvette Ivanovets.[7]
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.[8] The sinking of the ship has been confirmed by Russian sources.[9][10]
On 5 March 2024, MAGURA V5 drones were used in an attack that sank the patrol ship Sergey Kotov near the Kerch Strait.[11][12]
Tactical and technical characteristics[edit]
Some 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
- 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 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.
- ^ 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.