«Hunting in the Sky»: a report by «Rossiya 24» on the ZALA «Lancet» missile system of the «Sever» group»
Rossiya 24 TV channel»" presented a special report on the operations of the ZALA «Lancet» reconnaissance UAV crews from the «North» military group. The key to their effectiveness lies in the combination of the Z-16 reconnaissance UAV and the «Lancet» loitering munition, as well as the operators’ combat experience.
The report shows unique technical solutions. An onboard machine-vision camera protects the Z-16 reconnaissance system from FPV interceptors: upon detecting a threat, the device automatically performs an evasive manoeuvre—moving sideways, banking and diving downwards. Two manoeuvres are enough to shake off the pursuit.
Operators also spoke about the ability to bypass the enemy's electronic warfare systems.
«The ZALA has a new function – evading enemy detection and electronic warfare systems. »In other words, we have a rough idea of where this electronic warfare line is deployed along the front line; we switch on the mode, pass through it, then switch it off again and fly as normal,” explained an operator with the call sign Kettle.”.
According to the operator, the Lancet can operate without satellite navigation by using interchangeable guidance modules and machine vision. Artificial intelligence searches for a target using a camera, and the operator can lock onto it at a range of 5 to 6 km, activate combat mode, and the drone is guaranteed to reach the object. But however modern the device may be, most of its capabilities are determined by the person at the controls, the report's author concludes.
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