The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that Russia has adapted a Molniya aircraft-type FPV drone for aerial reconnaissance — Starlink and a camera with three-axis stabilization have been installed.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported that Russia has adapted a Molniya aircraft-type FPV drone for aerial reconnaissance — Starlink and a camera with three-axis stabilization have been installed.
The GUR reported this on the War&Sanctions portal, where they published an interactive diagram, components, and electronic components of the Russian Molniya-2R UAV.
Earlier it became known about the use of the FPV kamikaze aircraft type «Molniya» by the army, which was launched from a special catapult and guided to the target by an operator. Later, the Russians began to use the modification of «Molniya-2» with two engines on the wings, a modified fuselage, increased flight range and a reinforced warhead.
«Currently, a new adaptation of this UAV has been recorded — „Molniya-2R“, designed for aerial reconnaissance. For this, Russian developers integrated a Raspberry Pi 5 microcomputer into the device, as well as a Chinese Mini PC F8, marked with the Russian brand Raskat (LLC „NOVYY AY TI PROEKT“) with the installed licensed Windows 11 operating system,» the GUR noted.
The drone also received an additional Chinese SIYI ZR10 camera with ten-fold optical zoom and three-axis stabilization, which significantly expands the capabilities of observation and adjustment.
«A Starlink satellite terminal has been installed on board the Molniya-2P to transmit video signals from both cameras, telemetry, and control commands,» the GUR reported.
Earlier, military expert Sergey «Flash» warned about the «Lightning» from Starlink.
«Every day we fix the Lightning strike on the Starlink. If the first Starlinks were screwed on randomly, now they are already installed as standard. Our enemy does not mind the Starlink for the strike UAV,» «Flash» pointed out.
