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DanielR Profile picture
@DanielR33187703
Oct 28, 2023 • 6 tweets • 3 min read • Read on X
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🧵1. A captured #Russian first-person-video #drone was carrying three charges from rocket-propelled grenades. This is a lot of weight for a small drone to carry. A previous captured drone carried a 4.8 kg explosive.
t.me/serhii_flash/1…
Image
2. These hobby-grade drones were never meant to carry a payload. Instead they were meant to be fast. How are they now carrying such large payloads? Image
3. A casual inspection shows a fairly standard quadcopter drone. The frame is made from carbon fibre and there are a few 3D-printed parts but nothing special. (The video transmitter & ELRS receiver require a closer look but that’s a different thread.) Image
4. However a closer inspection reveals a very simple modification. Each of the arms holding a motor has been reinforced with a rectangular carbon rod. Each rod is held in place with heat-shrink tubing.
t.me/serhii_flash/1…
Image
5. A rod runs the full length of each arm. This is a very inexpensive and easy modification that greatly enhances the performance of the drone. We are seeing more modifications and customizations of drones as the war progresses. Image
6. (ps) I am bewildered why a thread on using heat-shrink tubing got 30,000 impressions. If you liked this, please have a look at my previous posts.

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More from @DanielR33187703

DanielR Profile picture
Nov 1
1. Several hundred days of #drone warfare that started with small quadcopters dropping hand grenades have progressed to this monster. This bomb weighs 40 kg and appears to be 3D-printed. Photo is from August, 2024. Image
2. This bomb is heavy and requires a large Baba Yaga multi-rotor drone to deliver it. Of note is the very large bomb release, which was probably also 3D-printed. Note that the bomb & release would require a very large-format 3D printer. Image
3. This drone is a popular design. Note how the bomb hangs below the copter’s landing skids. It’s not clear how many people would be required to deploy this weapon. Also, this drone probably cannot fly far with this heavy payload. Image
Read 5 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Oct 23
1. A russian video claims to show a field laboratory set up near the front lines for servicing #drones. We know this is russian propaganda because in the entire history of human ingenuity, a tablecloth has never been used to cover a workbench. Let’s have a closer look. Image
2. Although, this (front-line!) workshop is inside a building, the walls are covered in camo net for some reason. For the front line the soldiers are extremely clean & tidy. The floor may be the cleanest in the entire russian military. That flag appears in other propaganda. Image
3. This is propaganda so the choice of tools is not an accident. The soldering iron stand is brand new. We know this because sponges are shipped compressed and will expand to normal size when water is added. These are still compressed. Oddly, the box has been left on the bench. Image
Read 12 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Oct 20
1. A precision munition carried by a Ukrainian #balloon? Ukraine has been using balloons for several months to bomb russia. One problem has been how to guide the bomb to a useful target. This may be Ukraine’s solution. Image
2. This weapon is easily recognised as balloon-borne from the strings attaching the payload to the balloon. Also, the water bottle used for altitude control has been seen on previous balloons. Image
3. A water bottle is used to control the balloon’s altitude. The altitude controller can release water as required. There is a USB port, likely for programming and charging but interestingly there is no connection to the flight controller. Image
Read 6 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Oct 3
1. Why is a russian soldier very happy to receive an 8-year-old NanFang 150 cc motorcycle? The answer has a lot to do with #drones and why speed matters. Image
2. In #Ukraine, armed drones are deployed by the thousands, and constantly attack vehicles & soldiers. Without costly electronic countermeasures, small drones are difficult to defend against. Image
3. These drones are mostly repurposed hobby-grade toys that were never intended for this application. For combat, they have to carry a heavy munition & heavy battery many km, and then chase down a target. All that weight limits its top speed to about 100 km/h. Image
Read 17 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Oct 1
1. A russian solder with a machine gun is riding a curious-looking vehicle. What is this? Is it a fancy russian military thing? Image
2. Turns out the russian soldier is using an electric mobility scooter. These come in various configurations. The russian got lucky as his scooter has the optional golf-cart tires, which will be helpful in a war zone. Image
3. These scooters are also available in high-visibility colours. Note that this yellow one has the same brace as the russian’s scooter. Top speed is about 45 km/h, which will amuse Ukrainian drone pilots. Image
Read 4 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Sep 17
1. Ukraine crowd-sourced a multi-role drone called Besomar (a powerful demon). Like many small drones in Ukraine the Besomar was developed at very low cost, i.e., UAH600k (US$15k). Half of the money came from donations and half from government. @sambendett Image
2. The Besomar is not very big with an approximately 2 m wingspan. It can be launched from a rail or by hand. With current electronics, flight time is 60 minutes and the range (distance from base station) is 30 km. Image
3. The design is conventional and will be familiar to builders of RC planes. A simple rectangular box-type fuselage is used along with a V-tail and a single rear-mounted motor. The wings are removable but the tail is fixed in place. Image
Read 15 tweets

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