MAGURA V5

MAGURA V5 (Maritime Autonomous Guard Unmanned Robotic Apparatus V-type) is a Ukrainian multi-purpose unmanned surface vehicle (USV) developed for use by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) capable of performing various tasks: surveillance, reconnaissance, patrolling, search and rescue, mine countermeasures, maritime security, and combat missions.

Development

HUR signed contracts to design a new USV with private companies who had previously worked with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in designing USVs, however had their partnerships terminated due to disputes with the SBU over project specifications and budget. A new partnership with HUR was formed that started the project which eventually developed the MAGURA V5.

In November 2022, the Ukrainian government announced the development of a Ukrainian combat surface drone with a range of up to 800 km. The boat was first presented at the International Defence Industry Fair, which took place from 25 to 28 July 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey. On 29 July 2023, a CNN report confirmed that the MAGURA V5 kamikaze boat existed not only as an exhibition model but also as an operational system.

Unlike the Sea Baby used by the SBU, which carries a heavier explosive payload and is primarily used to strike stationary targets such as ships docked in port, the MAGURA V5 is designed for striking warships at sea due to its smaller size and better manoeuvrability.

Operational use

In November 2023, in one documented operational use of the drones, one Serna-class landing craft and one Akula-class landing craft docked at a Russian Navy base in Chornomorske, in western Crimea were destroyed.

On 1 February 2024, several MAGURA V5 drones struck and sank the ''Tarantul-III'' class missile corvette ''Ivanovets'' in the Black Sea near Lake Donuzlav in Crimea.

On 14 February 2024, several MAGURA V5 drones were used to attack and sink the large landing ship ''Tsezar Kunikov'' near Alupka in Russian-occupied Crimea. The sinking of the ship has been confirmed by Russian sources.

On 5 March 2024, MAGURA V5 drones were used in an attack that sank the patrol ship '' Sergey Kotov'' near the ''Kerch Strait''.

On 30 May 2024, the Main Directorate of Intelligence confirmed the destruction of two Russian boats of the KC-701 Tuna type with the help of Magura V5 strike marine drones.

On 10 August 2024, it destroyed a Russian KS 701 Tunets high-speed boat near the settlement of Chornomorske.

Tactical and technical characteristics

Some technical characteristics of the drone were published by the Ministry of Digital Transformation in November 2022:

* Length: 5.5 m
* Gross weight: < 1000 kg
* Operating range: up to 400 km
* Range of operation: up to 800 km
* Range: up to 60 hours
* Payload: up to 200 kg, at least one R-73 air-to-air missile.
* Cruising speed: 41 km/h
* Maximum speed: 42 kt (78 km/h)
* Navigation methods: automatic GNSS, inertial, visual
* Video transmission: up to three HD video streams
* Cryptographic protection: 256-bit encryption
* Cost of production: about 273,000 USD

It is reported that in addition to the drone itself, equipped with an autopilot system, video subsystems, including night vision, redundant communication modules and a combat unit, it includes a ground-based autonomous control station, a transportation and storage system and a data centre.

See also

*Sea Baby – USV developed for use by the Security Service of Ukraine
*Marichka – Ukrainian autonomous underwater vehicle

Notes

References

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Autonomous ships
Ships of the Ukrainian Navy
Ukrainian inventions
Unmanned surface vehicles