Ukraine reportedly opened a new era in Naval warfare by using kamikaze USVs in the war since the 2022 autumn. The USV attacks were effective on the critical Russian warships and infrastructure.
The initial attacks were completed with great success, but the Russian units were able to repel the USV’s kamikaze attacks with machine guns. While analysts assumed that the Russian fleet had learned from previous mistakes, Ukraine appears to have caused significant damage to a landing ship that is important to the Russian Black Sea Fleet in terms of logistical transport.
Ivan Sybyriakov, the Unmanned Systems Manager at SFTE SPETSTECHNOEXPORT, spoke to Naval News about Magura V5 on Ukraine’s booth at the exhibition area.
Naval News: What can you tell us about Magura V5 USV?
Mr. Sybyriakov: Magura 5 is the first naval drone with video proof of hitting a real warship in real combat conditions. This is a publicly represented drone but in Ukraine, there are unpublic drones we use. So, Magura shows our possibilities in creating new technological naval drones, to use the philosophy of not being aggressive but deterring our territories, for example in the Black Sea.
It’s 5.5m long and 1.5m high. It’s very fast, it can deliver a payload of 320 kilograms for a radius of 450 nautical miles. And the line of the water is not so high. So it’s very difficult to detect it in the water. Also, this drone can be used not only as a chemical hazard to hit the target, it could work in the swarms for different purposes.
It can also be used as a safety boat, for intelligence and surveillance operations to detect possible enemies in different kinds of waters.
We have a few purposes for why we chose the drone and why brought it to this exhibition. The first is to show that Ukraine is not a victim of a war. And we are not just fighting with another with a huge enemy. We are a country that can show the world top technologies in real conditions and in the real use of it the example of naval drones. We are looking for manufacturers of spare parts or some electronic devices for communications that could give the best specifications to enhance capabilities, as we’re not stopping on research and development. This is our main purpose is to be at this exhibition.
About Magura V5 USV
The Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus (MAGURA) V-type is next-generation multi-role USV developed in Ukraine.
The MAGURA V5 can perform multiple operations, such as surveillance, reconnaissance, patrol, search and rescue, mine warfare, fleet security, and combat missions.
The MAGURA V5 was developed by using advanced design techniques. The hydrodynamic hull and sleek profile of the V5 allow it to proceed covertly with good maneuverability.
It is an affordable solution that is easy to launch from any remote location. The unmanned operation of the V5 minimizes manpower requirements for missions, reducing potential fatalities when operating in harsh conditions.
Specifications:
- Length: 5.5 m
- Width: 1.5 m
- Draft: 0.4 m
- Range: 450 NM
- Cruise speed: 22 knots
- Burst speed: 42 knots
- Height above waterline: 0.5 m
- Payload capacity: 320 kg
- Connectivity: Mesh radio with air-based repeater or SATCOM
