ZALA Kub-BLA

Kub-BLA
Kub-BLA loitering munition
TypeLoitering munition
Place of originRussian Federation
Service history
Used byRussian Armed Forces
Wars
Production history
DesignerZALA Aero Group
ManufacturerZALA Aero Group
Produced2019-present[1]
Specifications
Maximum speed 130 km/h

Kub-BLA (advertised as KYB-UAV) is a Russian high-precision unmanned aerial vehicle and loitering munition developed by the Russian company ZALA Aero Group (part of Kalashnikov Concern).

Description

Kub-BLA was first unveiled by Kalashnikov during IDEX-2019 exhibition in Abu-Dhabi. The report notes that after launch, the drone can loiter in the air, detecting a target, and then attack it from the upper hemisphere with a vertical dive.[2] "Kub-BLA" delivers a payload according to target coordinates, which are set manually, or according to an image from the target guidance load. In addition, the drone can be used in swarm mode.[3] A new version with a more powerful warhead begun to be supplied in late December 2023.[4]

Combat use

The drone was used against targets in the Idlib Governorate during Syrian civil war, as well as during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, in Kyiv.[3] In May 2022 footage of an attack on a M777 howitzer by a Kub drone was posted by the Russian Ministry of Defence.[5]

According to Lostarmour OSINT project, there have been at least 44 documented uses of Kub drones as of December 2023.[6]

Technical characteristics

Specifications:[7][2]

  • Wingspan - 1210 mm
  • Length - 950 mm
  • Height - 165 mm
  • Payload capacity - 3 kg
  • Speed - 80-130 km/h
  • Flight duration - 30 minutes

References

  1. ^ "ЦАМТО / / "Калашников" выполнил ГОЗ по поставкам БЛА "КУБ"". ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием (in Russian). 2023-12-19. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  2. ^ a b "Концерн "Калашников" разработал высокоточный ударный беспилотный комплекс "КУБ-БЛА"". Kalashnikov Concern. 17 February 2019.
  3. ^ a b Eastwood, Brent M. (2022-04-27). "KUB-BLA - Russia Has Its Own 'Switchblade' Suicide Drone". 19FortyFive. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  4. ^ "ЦАМТО / / Минобороны отправлена первая партия более мощных барражирующих боеприпасов "Куб"". ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием (in Russian). 2023-12-25. Retrieved 2023-12-26.
  5. ^ Roblin, Sebastien (2022-05-19). "Russia Attacked U.S. Supplied Howitzers in Ukraine With Kamikaze Drones and Rockets". 19FortyFive. Retrieved 2023-12-15.
  6. ^ "Применение БПЛА "Куб-БЛА"". lostarmour.info. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  7. ^ "Kommersant learned about the Ministry of Defense's plans to buy Kalashnikov drones". РБК (in Russian). 2021-11-08. Retrieved 2023-12-15.