Italmas (kamikaze drone)

2023: Drone Development

On October 30, 2023, the Zala Aero group of companies, the manufacturer of the Lancet kamikdze drones, announced the development of the Italmas unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). A feature of this drone is said to be a special homing system with a long range.

Italmas (codenamed Product-54) is equipped with an internal combustion engine. Fuel tanks are located in the wings: the fuel reserve is enough to overcome a distance of over 200 km. The screw is located in the bow. The device can effectively maneuver in height and make turns. The device, like the Lancet, is a kamikaze drone. The enlarged warhead, as noted by Alexander Zakharov, chief designer of the Zala Aero group of companies, allows you to inflict more damage on a conditional enemy. According to available information, Italmas is launched from a pneumatic catapult. The drone carries a radio number and an inertial navigation system on board.

Drone kamikaze "Italmas"

According to the Izvestia newspaper, the drone is filled with explosives. The task of "Italmas" is to hang over the target of the enemy until a command is given to carry out the attack. After that, the drone rushes to the designated point and destroys the enemy object.

The drone is a completely domestic development. As of November 2023, Italmas has passed all the necessary tests and is ready for mass production.

In general, Italmas is an analogue of the Geranium drone, which is used in the special operation zone. The new barraging ammunition has a shape similar to the "Geranium," that is, it is made according to the "flying wing" scheme. In Kyiv, it is believed that the Geran is a version of the Iranian combat drone of the Shahed type, but the Russian and Iranian sides reject these assumptions.^[1]

Notes