2025年7月6日星期日
[FoZ] Drones for bombing Russia's Nuclear Bombers in Ukrainian's Spider Web Mission
烏克蘭的策略傾向於選擇定制的現成技術，而不是像 GRIFF 300 或 DJI FlyCart 這樣的高端民用無人機，這些技術具備以下特點：- 小型且難以被檢測- 價格低廉且易於更換- 能夠自主導航和遠程駕駛.
To achieve the Ukrainian' Spider Web mission, I would pick civilian drones with high payload and flight time. According to a source, the breakdown of top contenders combines high payload capacity with long-range endurance is summarized in Table 1. However, the drones used in Spider Web mission are different from what I thought. Here is the information from public domains:
Ukraine’s Operation Spider Web didn’t rely on a single commercial drone model—instead, it showcased a clever fusion of modified, low-cost FPV drones and open-source autopilot systems like ArduPilot. These drones were smuggled into Russia over months, hidden in wooden sheds and truck trailers with detachable roofs2. Once launched, they followed pre-programmed flight paths and could switch to manual control when close to their targets—even in GPS-denied environments.
Rather than selecting a high-end civilian drone like the GRIFF 300 or DJI FlyCart, Ukraine’s strategy leaned on customized, off-the-shelf tech that was:
- Small and hard to detect
- Inexpensive and easily replaceable
- Capable of autonomous navigation and remote piloting
This approach allowed Ukraine to strike deep into Russian territory—destroying over 40 strategic bombers—without relying on billion-dollar systems. It’s a masterclass in asymmetric warfare.
Ukraine’s recent drone strikes reportedly destroyed or disabled multiple Tu-95s using small, low-cost drones equipped with modest explosive charges. The success wasn’t about raw explosive power—it was about precision, timing, and exploiting soft spots in the aircraft’s design.
The Tu-95 “Bear” is a Cold War-era strategic bomber, first flown in the 1950s. Despite upgrades, it remains a large, slow, and lightly protected aircraft. Here’s why it became such a prime target:
Exposed Parking: Russia often parks these bombers in open tarmac bays, not hardened shelters, making them easy to spot via satellite and vulnerable to drone strikes.
Structural Weak Points: Ukrainian FPV drones targeted the wing root between the fuselage and inner engine, which houses a fuel tank and supports the engine, missile pylon, and landing gear. A hit here can sever the wing or cause catastrophic fire.
Fuel Load Sensitivity: Many of the aircraft were fueled and prepped for sorties. Striking them at that moment maximized the damage potential.
Operation Spider Web: A Tactical Masterstroke
- Ukraine’s Operation Pavutyna (Spider Web) was a year-and-a-half-long covert effort involving:
- 117 FPV drones smuggled into Russia in trucks and launched from hidden locations.
- AI-assisted targeting and pre-programmed flight paths to evade jamming and GPS denial.
- Precision strikes on four major airbases, damaging or destroying over 40 strategic aircraft, including Tu-95s, Tu-22M3s, and even A-50 radar planes1.
- Estimated damage: $7 billion in irreplaceable assets.
Strategic Implications
- Psychological Shock: Russia’s most iconic bombers were hit deep inside its territory, undermining the myth of invulnerability.
- Operational Disruption: With Tu-95s relocated to the Far East, round-trip missions now take up to 23 hours, reducing sortie frequency and increasing fatigue.
- Global Wake-Up Call: NATO and other militaries are reassessing base security and the threat posed by low-cost, high-precision drones.
Table 1
Reference
https://www.jouav.com/blog/heavy-lift-drone.htm
https://www.jouav.com/blog/heavy-lift-drone.htm
https://pilotinstitute.com/heaviest-drones/
2025年7月5日星期六
FoZ: Ukrainian's Spider Web and its impact on Russian Military Force
In Ukraine, the term "Spider Web" refers to Operation Spider's Web, a covert drone attack carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Russian airbases on June 1, 2025. The operation involved using drones to strike multiple airbases deep inside Russia, targeting Russian Air Force long-range aviation assets. The operation was named "Spider's Web" due to the wide geographic coverage of the attacks across remote Russian locations.
Operation Spider's Web Details:
Date: June 1, 2025
Target: Russian Air Force long-range aviation assets at five airbases: Belaya, Dyagilevo, Ivanovo Severny, Olenya, and Ukrainka.
Method: The operation involved drones concealed within and launched from trucks on Russian territory.
Scale: Ukraine deployed 117 drones, according to Ukrainian officials, and struck more than 40 high-value aircraft, including strategic bombers.
Impact: The operation inflicted significant damage on Russian strategic bombers and radar planes, causing an estimated $7 billion in losses.
Significance:
Redefining Asymmetric Warfare:
Operation Spider's Web is seen as a significant milestone in Ukraine's evolving asymmetric warfare capabilities and a demonstration of their ability to strike deep into Russian territory.
Vulnerability of Russian Defenses:
The operation exposed a major vulnerability in Russia's rear defenses and highlighted the effectiveness of using small, covert drones for strategic attacks.
Game-Changer for Drone Warfare:
Some analysts believe that Operation Spider's Web could be a game-changer for modern drone warfare, with potential implications for future conflicts.
Ukraine's "Operation Spider Web" resulted in the destruction or damage of over 40 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers, according to Ukrainian officials. Specifically, Ukrainian sources claim the attack neutralized 41 Russian aircraft, with "10 to 13" being completely destroyed according to a senior NATO official and the rest suffering significant damage. This included a mix of Tu-95, Tu-160, and Tu-22M3 strategic bombers, as well as an A-50 airborne early warning aircraft.
訂閱：
留言 (Atom)