Air Weapons: Palyanitsa Jet-Powered Drone

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October 18, 2024: Earlier in 2924 Ukraine revealed that they had developed and used their new Palianytsia turbojet powered drone. So far, this drone has been used in three successful attacks, destroying two munitions depots and heavily damaging a military air base. Ukraine is compiling a lot of other suitable targets within 700 kilometers of the Ukrainian borders.

Ukraine revealed that each Palyanitsa cost about $100,000 and carried a warhead consisting of about 40 kg of explosives. Range is 700 kilometers and speed is about 1,400 kilometers an hour. That means Palianytsia can reach a target 700 kilometers away in about half an hour. Palianytsia can fly low to avoid detection by radar and so far, none have been intercepted by Russian air defense systems.

Palianytsia was developed and in production after about 18 months of work. Palianytsia does not use any exotic or hard to obtain components and can be mass produced by Ukraine.

Palianytsia is not only cheaper than American missiles, but Russian ones as well, though both carry much heavier warheads. The Russian Kh-101 cruise missiles cost about $12 million each. NATO prohibits Ukraine from using NATO supplied missiles for attacks deep inside Russia. Because of that Ukraine has been developing and building its own long range missiles for that purpose.

Palianytsia is going to do a lot of damage to Russian forces, factories and military bases inside Russia. The Russians will need more air defense systems than they currently have or can quickly produce to defend against Palianytsia. Ukraine also revealed that they are developing their own ballistic missile with a longer range than Palianytsia. These missiles are much more difficult to defend against and do a lot more damage to targets deep inside Russia. Since these ballistic missiles will be produced in Ukraine, the Ukrainians can use them any way they see fit. That means the Russian military economy will be in great danger.

 

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