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/


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