Liutyi Attack Drone Upgraded for Strikes with Increased Payload

25 November, 2024 Pre-flight inspection of the Liutyi drone, November 2024. Photo: Donbas Realii Ukrainian-made Liutyi long-range drones received a 1.5 times larger warhead weighing 75 kilograms.

Donbas Realii reported about the work of a group of operators of long-range drones of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine. According to the intelligence officers, the basic 50 kg warhead in the Liutyi drone was replaced with a more powerful 75 kg warhead for strikes on the Russian oil refinery in Saratov. With this payload, the attack drone successfully hit the target, flying more than 600 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.

This parameter is important because it gives an indication of the possible flight range of an aircraft with a larger payload.

Preparation of a 75-kilogram warhead for the Liutyi attack drone, November 2024. Photo credits: Donbas Realii

The type of ammunition used remains unknown, but Militarnyi previously reported that these drones were equipped with a 50-kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead. Initially, the drones had a high failure rate in hitting targets, often resulting in a lack of detonation.

However, photos suggest this issue was resolved by relocating the initiator to the nose of the fuselage. Intelligence sources also claimed, without providing specifics, that they successfully struck targets at a distance of 2,000 kilometers. It is presumed this refers to other strike systems developed from light aircraft platforms.

However, if it regards the Liutyi, this would mean doubling the flight range compared to the basic range of 1000 km. Without a deep modernization, this could only be achieved by increasing the fuel tanks and drastically reducing the warhead. The report also shows a shelf with HaKi-20 drones, which are usually launched alongside the Liutyi drone.

They do not carry explosives, but imitate full-fledged strike UAVs, diverting fire and overwhelming enemy air defense.