The ZALA-company’s ‘Lancet’ loitering munitions have undergone a comprehensive upgrade, significantly expanding their combat capabilities. The main changes pertain to ‘Product 51’ and ‘Product 52,’ which have received fundamentally new communications channels and a new intelligent guidance system. The hardware and software components have undergone a deep modernisation, according to ZALA AERO.
“A significant advantage of the upgraded ‘Product 51’ is its launch via a one-off (compact) launch unit. This significantly reduces preparation time for launch and ensures the mobility of the teams, thereby improving their safety,” according to the company’s press release.
‘Product 52’ employs a combined warhead with two detonation modes: impact and proximity. This increases its effectiveness against armoured targets. An intelligent automatic target recognition system has also been added, whereby the munition independently selects the most valuable target upon detecting a group of targets.
The deployment of ZALA ‘Lancet’ systems, targeted by the ZALA Z-16 reconnaissance UAV, has become one of the most effective methods for engaging enemy targets. Expert estimates of the total value of Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) military equipment destroyed by these systems during the Special Military Operation (SMO) range from $4 billion to $12 billion USD.
According to a company representative, experience gained from deploying the ZALA Z-16 in the SMO zone has led to a deep modernisation of the system. The new version features improved communications channels and alternative navigation systems. This is corroborated by open-source objective control data, which demonstrates the successful operation of the UAV in an environment with active enemy electronic warfare (EW) measures. Video footage posted on social media shows the ZALA Z-16’s ability to manoeuvre during attacks by FPV interceptors, indicating it is equipped with a combined counter-FPV drone system.
The ZALA Z-16 identifies targets in the enemy’s rear areas and coordinates the operation of ‘Lancet’ loitering munitions. ZALA Z-16 operators have learned to identify counter-battery radar systems, such as the American AN/TPQ-36, in both thermal and visual ranges. Since the beginning of the SMO, at least 19 American AN/TPQ-36 radars and over 20 counter-battery radar stations of this type, in various modifications, have been destroyed.
‘Lancet’ operators note that the ZALA Z-16 regularly flies deep into Ukrainian-controlled territory to locate and destroy enemy artillery pieces. Its onboard HD cameras and thermal imager enable 24/7 surveillance and can detect even well-camouflaged targets.
As an example of successful system deployment, one instance involved Airborne Troops (VDV) using a ZALA Z-16 to locate and destroy a towed howitzer, two self-propelled artillery units, and a UAF tank. The equipment was camouflaged on the right bank of the Dnieper River in Kherson Oblast and was firing on settlements on the left bank. Objective control of the target engagement was conducted in real-time using ZALA Z-16 cameras, which recorded the detonation of the ammunition.
The ZALA Z-16 is equipped with a Z-16VHD60 HD video camera. The video stream resolution is 1280×720 pixels. Three-axis stabilisation provides accuracy of up to 150 microradians. The camera features 30x (Full HD) and 60x (HD) optical zoom, a high-sensitivity mode, and the ability to record onboard at a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels (Full HD).
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...