Russia’s ‘Fit Any Warhead’ Suicide Drone – Scalpel – To Enter Mass Production

Russia’s ‘Fit Any Warhead’ Suicide Drone – Scalpel – To Enter Mass Production; Expert Calls It ‘Cheaper’ Version Of Lancet UAV #foryou #2023 #subscribe #viral #top Russia is testing its brand-new and multi-purpose unmanned single-use platform called ‘Scalpel,’ with drones becoming the weapon of choice in the ongoing war. The Vostok Design Bureau (KB) conducted flight tests of the multi-purpose unmanned single-use platform Scalpel. The drone, which is to be introduced in combat in Ukraine, is expected to enter mass production from October 2023, Russian-language TASS News Agency reported. “Flight tests of the multi-purpose disposable platform ‘Scalpel’ are underway. In the future, it is planned that units of the Russian Army will use the platform in special operations as loitering ammunition. In October, the finished product will be provided for use in the Northern Military District zone,” the agency quoted the design bureau as saying. The manufacturer also added it had received applications for the platform from several Russian units and was engaging in dialogue with military personnel regarding the technical requirements for the aircraft. This may be the first time the Russian media has reported on this all-new kamikaze drone. Earlier, however, some military bloggers who keenly follow the Ukraine war had published some information about the Scalpel. For example, military expert Samuel Bendett wrote on Platform X (previously Twitter) last month that the Scalpel seemed to be a copy of the ZALA Lancet drone, which is a Russian loitering munition extensively deployed against Ukraine in the ongoing war. Bendett said that the Vostok Design Bureau had named its one-way UAV ‘Scalpel,’ which has the same meaning as ‘Lancet.’ He also highlighted that the bureau claimed that its drone was cheaper than the Lancet, which state arms manufacturer Rostec produces. Subsequently, a video of what appeared to be the test launch of the Scalpel was also published. The drone could be seen being hand-launched by two crew members. EurAsian Times could not independently verify if it was indeed the Scalpel drone, which is currently undergoing testing.