Details of the operation in the Black Sea: MaguraV7 drones shot down Russian aircraft with an American AIM 9 missile

MaguraV7 became the world’s first naval unmanned platform to shoot down a Russian Su-30 fighter jet with an American AIM 9 missile.

Ukrainian multi-purpose naval drones MaguraV7 shot down two Russian Su-30 fighters using the latest modification of the AIM 9X Sidewinder missile. This was reported by the head of the Defense Intelligence Kirill Budanov in an interview with “TheWarZone”.

Previously, it was believed that the drones were equipped with AIM 9M missile systems from the late 1980s. However, according to Budanov, the Magura V7 received a more modern combat system – the AIM 9X version (subtypes Block 1 or 2), which entered service in 2003.

Among the key improvements is the new MK 139 engine, which increased the firing range to 30 km and accelerated the missile. The missile is also equipped with an infrared camera instead of a traditional thermal head, a LOAL system (engagement “after launch”) and compatibility with the Link 16 communication line, as well as a radio receiver for trajectory correction at long distances.

Reference: the MaguraV7 sea drone, developed by Uforce, is a capable “twin” of the Magura V5, but already almost 8m long and with a total weight of about 3.4t, twice as large as its predecessor. It is capable of operating in sea waves up to 3 points (versus 2 in the V5), has a cruising speed of 23 knots and a maximum of up to 39 knots.

The autonomy of the drones has been increased to 48 hours without additional power, and with a generator – up to 7 days. The fuel tanks hold 1200 liters, which provides a range of up to 800 nautical miles (~1500 km) thanks to an economical 270 hp diesel engine. The payload is up to 650 kg, so in addition to missiles, the drone can be equipped with a machine gun turret or a ZPU for air defense.

Recall that on the night of May 3, the Ukrainian military shot down a Russian Su-30 fighter. For the first time in history, this was done using a naval drone. The aircraft, whose cost is estimated at approximately $ 50 million, fell into the sea near the port of Novorossiysk, where the remains of the Russian Black Sea Fleet are located.