Russia is developing an analogue of Switchblade loitering munition
19 September, 2023 Russian BAS-80 loitering munition. Photo credits: Russian propaganda media Russian engineers are developing the BAS-80 loitering munition, which replicates the technical solutions of famous American Switchblade drones.
Video and photo of the Russian drone was published by Evgeniy Dudorov, general director of the SPA "Android Technics." According to him, a certain number of "kamikaze drones" have already been transferred to Russian invasion troops for field tests on the territory of Ukraine. The video shows that a transport and firing box with a blowout system is used to launch the drone.
It is stated that the latter uses a powder charge. The drone weighs only 1.7 kg due to the use of composite materials and fiberglass.
By the time of launch, the drone is placed in a launch container, which allows the infantryman to easily transport it. The payload of the BAS-80 is 500 grams, but it is stated that it can be increased to 2 kilograms. The drone is equipped with an electric motor located in the aft part, which is powered by a battery.
It can cover a distance of up to 30 kilometers with a maximum speed of up to 130 km/h and at an altitude of up to 200 meters. A photo of the drone installed in the launch container was also published. In the photo, the optical system can be viewed in detail.
It has three lenses, presumably for a color and IR camera.
Optical sensor of the BAS-80 loitering munition
Conceptually, the geometry of the fuselage and a number of technological solutions, such as the layout of the wings and tail, the launch and flight scheme, is copied from the already known American Switchblade loitering munition. However, it is worth noting that the specification of the BAS-80 declared by the manufacturer looks rather dubious due to too high parameters. For understanding, a similar weight-size specification of Switchblade 300 is able to cover a distance of only 10 kilometers and carry a warhead weighing about 250 grams.
In their message, the developers do not directly mention this, but, presumably, the drone is equipped with a GPS satellite navigation system. Another important aspect of the new weapon, which is its software, also remains undisclosed, the quality of which is critical for drones of this type. During the final stage of flight while diving, the Switchblade and its counterparts lose contact with the operator due to natural obstacles, and the drone goes into autonomous mode with automatic targeting.
In the absence of such a system, the drone will be ineffective.