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DanielR Profile picture
@DanielR33187703
Feb 9 • 16 tweets • 6 min read • Read on X
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1. It would be easy to overlook this single photo of a mysterious #Ukrainian #drone that was shown on a Russian Telegram channel. This drone crashed in the Belgorod region and there are a number of interesting details.
t.me/Mestb_Dobroj_V…Image
2. There have been a few previous crashes of this model of drone. One of the crash sites showed a lot of detail including a C3-6 explosive. It is not clear why this drone crashed largely intact.
t.me/UAVDEV/4925
Image
3. These drones use the Chinese-made DLE 170 engine. The engine here has dark oil on the exhaust manifold which suggests a possible engine failure. The fuselage is expensively made from carbon fibre and has fancy aluminum parts. Image
4. The electronics are curious. Automotive style fuses are used with 23 circuits (23 seems a lot for a small drone). There are also at least six different types of electrical connectors including BNC, SMA, DB9, and DB25. Image
5. A different crash provides information on how the wing is constructed. Tubes pass through the mounting brackets but the order of assembly is not obvious. Perhaps the spars slide in from the wingtips.
t.me/Mestb_Dobroj_V…
Image
6. The origin of these aircraft is somewhat murky. Three of the same model of drone are in service with the Pakistan Air Force. Image
7. These aircraft were also on display in Pakistan’s National Aerospace Science and Technology Park (NASTP). There are no obvious indications of the aircraft manufacturer or model on the drones. Maybe we should name it, "NASTP YX". Image
8. More importantly, the mystery drones were displayed along with a KaGeM V3 developed by RE & RP Group NASTP that shows a Baykar logo. Also displayed are a Baykar Akinci, the Baykar corporate logo and the flag of Türkiye. Image
9. In August, 2023 Baykar announced a very high-profile agreement for research & development within NASTP. Present were Baykar Board Chairman, Selçuk Bayraktar and Pakistan Prime Minister, Shahbaz Sharif.
baykartech.com/en/press/bayka…
Image
10. Turkish Air Force Commander General Ziya Cemal Kadioğlu inspects the mystery drone being assembled at NASTP. This offers a good view of the wing mounts and complicated fuselage construction. Image
11. Thus, a drone assembled in Pakistan, in collaboration with Türkiye, was sent to Ukraine, filled with explosives and then flown into Russia. One can consider the geopolitical implications. As a complication, Baykar is also working with Ukraine.

ukrinform.net/amp/rubric-eco…
12. Russia claimed to have brought this drone down but perhaps not. The engine does not have a generator and the exhaust is very dirty. We have seen these before. If the battery supplying the ignition runs low, the engine will misfire and lose power. Image
13. One more interesting detail is the large letter "B" painted on the tail. These markings have appeared only recently on Ukrainian drones. Image
14.There are similar markings on a drone that crashed into the Slavneft-YANOS oil refinery located deep in Russia. Was the mystery drone also intended for a similar target? If so, the drone may have needed a better battery. Image
15. It would be helpful if NASTP and Baykar would supply a name for their drone. Also, its construction is very strange. The wing and tail are a conventional design but the fuselage is built more like a very expensive missile.
16. This is a very curious drone. If you enjoyed this thread please consider reposting as a quote: your comments are appreciated.

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More from @DanielR33187703

DanielR Profile picture
Dec 10
1. A good defense against a drone is another drone. Both Ukraine and russia are developing net launchers that tangle an enemy drone’s propellers. Shown here is a russian-designed net launcher made largely from 3D-printed components. These are carried by a drone. Image
2. When triggered, four springs eject four weights that are attached to the net. The net simply hangs below this launcher. The release is a ring that slides upwards when moved by a servo. Image
3. This gives a better view of the release mechanism. The release is a ring that prevents the 4 weights from being ejected by the springs. This ring is connected to the servo via a link. The servo can then pull the release ring upwards along the cylindrical body of the launcher. Image
Read 7 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Dec 6
1. There was a pleasant and interesting surprise today when Ukraine announced a new drone missile called Peklo (Hell). It will take a while to analyse this weapon but there are a number of intriguing design elements. Image
2. This photo gives a good idea of its size. Range is reported as over 700 km so this drone must hold a very large fuel tank. The size of the warhead will likely depend on the required range. Speed is reported as over 700 km/h (435 mph). Image
3. The most obvious detail is the engine is mounted on top of the drone. This engine is similar to the PBS TJ40 but could be customised for this drone. The external engine greatly simplifies the design and also allows a different make or model of engine to be used. Image
Read 8 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Dec 5
1. A curious Ukrainian drone that crashed in September, 2024 was widely reported in russian media. Although various folks claimed this wreckage showed the remains of a jet engine, things did not look right. Image
2. Here is a closer view of this object. The trouble is that most jet engines used in drones do not look like this. If not an engine, what is this? The following photographs will (partially) explain what this is. Image
3. This is a rare photo showing an intact example of this jet-powered drone. Wing span is roughly 3 m (10 feet). The airframe is made from carbon fibre. The overall design is really intriguing. Image
Read 18 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Nov 26
1. Mystery solved, sort of. Early in 2024 a number of strange drones crashed in russia: a typical wreckage is shown here. I spent a lot of time trying to determine who made these but recently the manufacturer publicity announced this drone 🙃. Regardless, here is what I found. Image
2. It’s not a secret but it is an interesting design. The fuselage is a carbon-fibre cylinder with fancy aluminum bulkheads. Wings and V-tail are composite construction with foam and wood internal structures. This is an expensive airframe compared to some other drones. Image
3. This photo gives an idea of its size. The power & programming ports are visible here. Intact propellers indicate these 2 drones crashed because the engines were not running. There are very nice mounts for the wings & tail fins. Image
Read 20 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Nov 21
1. Ukrainian cities have been targeted by thousands of russian Shahed-136 (Geranium-2) drones. Although Ukraine has flown plenty of long-range drones into russia, it did not have a drone similar to the Shahed-136. But it might have one now. Image
2. There is no single good photo of this drone so I made this rough sketch to give an idea what it looks like. Conceptually, it is very similar to the Shahed-136. The Ukrainian drone may have a larger diameter fuselage and be a bit shorter but it is hard to be certain. Image
3. In July 2024, one of these drones crashed in russia resulting in a couple of photos. This is the underside of the engine as the drone's exhaust points upwards. The engine has a bracket added that is likely a prop guard. Note the electric start on this single-use engine. Image
Read 9 tweets
DanielR Profile picture
Nov 18
1. A hinge from a Shahed-136 kamikaze drone tells a story. The russians call this drone the Geranium-2. Here, a worker sketched a geranium before the drone was assembled, telling us this drone was likely assembled in russia not Iran. This photo was posted by @ConnieLingus123 Image
2. This hinge appears to be well designed, likely after several iterations of refinement. The overall design is such that the left and right sides are identical or almost identical. This makes production easier as there are fewer unique components. Image
3. Two large plates are probably cut from stainless steel sheet, possibly using a waterjet. There are two aluminum components that are likely made with die casting to avoid expensive machining. Image
Read 6 tweets

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