Thread by @RALee85

Thread: Izvestia reports the Russian Navy is considering equipping ships with loitering munitions to target ground and naval targets. Russia tested the concept during an amphibious landing exercise in Kamchatka where the munitions struck ground targets.
iz.ru/1242367/alekse…

The graphic shows loitering munitions being launched from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, going into a holding pattern waiting for a target, and then striking targets once located. They mentioned that loitering munitions would be particularly useful against small motor boats. 2/

Below is a thread on that amphibious assault exercise two weeks ago with members of the 40th and 155th Naval Infantry Brigades in Kamchatka where loitering munitions were reportedly used. They also launched UR-77 MICLICs from landing craft. 3/

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1447629535948726273

Although not mentioned in the article, loitering munitions could also be useful for VBSS operations as well, particularly when you lack multiple helicopters like the recent case of the Vice Admiral Kulakov in the Gulf of Guinea. 4/

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1453071580054106121

Russia already operates UAVs like the Orlan-10 from some surface ships. I wouldn't be surprised if the final technical specifications for the two new Project 11711 large landing ships are designed to incorporate UAVs and loitering munitions. 5/

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1122877938637135872

Russia has tested both the KUB BLA and Lancet loitering munitions in Syria. Russia's SSO SOF unit appears to be leading the way testing the munitions and developing TTPs for their employment. 6/

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1383192402161238016

Russia has also tested loitering munitions launched from fast attack boats against ground targets. 7/

https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1383928627436298246