Solutions to win: Ukrainian military uses thermite-loaded drones to obliterate enemy equipment
Photo: X/ PS01
To destroy Russian equipment and enemy fortifications, Ukrainian drones began using free-falling thermite munitions.
Rubryka writes about this, referring to the footage of their use published on the social network.
What is the problem?
Free-falling ammunition from strike drones has long proven its effectiveness in combat.
However, until now, small drones were equipped only with fragmentation and cumulative grenades from automatic grenade launchers, which are ineffective against armored vehicles.
What is the solution?
However, thermite munitions dropped from reusable FPV drones have recently been observed in use by the Ukrainian military.
And here a video with the thermite mixture tested on Russian vehicles 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/5q2N3GhUtK
— PS01 (@PStyle0ne1) January 30, 2024
How does it work?
The video shows how the drone operator managed to set fire to an abandoned Russian BTR-82 armored personnel carrier with just one such munition.
It is said that the burning temperature of a thermite checker is 2500 degrees Celsius.
This is enough to:
- set fire to any flammable material,
- melt a thin-walled iron panel,
- generally burn through the aluminum body of the combat vehicle.
This result is achieved due to the chemical reaction between the two metals. Judging by the burning temperature, we may discuss a classic iron oxide and aluminum mixture.
These photos show one of the batches of thermite ammunition designed to be dropped from drones. They come in a rectangular case to prevent the charge from rolling upon impact.
New gifts for the Katsaps‼️🔥
"Thermite mixture – 500-530g.
Aluminum pipe, circuit board, ignition – 200g.
Total weight 700 – reactions 3-4 seconds.
Active combustion time is about 2 minutes. After this, the molten metal continues to work.
Combustion temperature – up to 2500°C… pic.twitter.com/bGQz6onTID— PS01 (@PStyle0ne1) January 30, 2024
According to the published information, structurally, the 700-gram ammunition consists of:
- aluminum body,
- initiation board,
- ignition mixture, which accounts for 500 grams of the total mass.
Such a tool costs only 450 hryvnias or 12 dollars. Moreover, its design is extremely simple, and the components are affordable.
Due to its incendiary capabilities and high burning temperature, the ammunition is excellent for hitting:
- equipment, including armored,
- dugouts,
- observation points,
- open warehouses with ammunition.
For reference:
It should be noted that Sweden is preparing to transfer the ScanJack 3500 demining machine, capable of neutralizing enemy ammunition at depth, to Ukraine.
In addition, 15-year-old Marko from Ternopil and veterans and reservists organized the production of FPV drones. They assemble up to 30 quadcopters per month, and in the future, they want to put production on a conveyor belt and produce up to a thousand drones.
