Ukraine’s “Baba Yaga” Drones Now Appear Capable Of Launching Guided Munitions

Drone developments out of Ukraine accelerate with each passing day. Nothing spurs development, for better or worse, like conflict and both sides are wrestling to gain any advantage in the unmanned domain. This means rapid iterative development and vast proliferation that have major spillover effects far beyond the front lines. The latest example of this is Ukraine equipping its large industrial quadcopter drones, nicknamed by the Russians “Baba Yagas” (a reference to the ferocious old woman who eats children in Slavic folklore), with guided munitions. This would allow these drones to strike even the most hardened of armored vehicles while they are moving, with great precision, and do so over and over deep behind enemy lines without having to hold a steady position above their target.

Images of a Baba Yaga captured by Russian forces emerged on Telegram today. They show the Baba Yaga festooned with antennas largely intact, as well as a very peculiar munition, one that has a seeker head that appears to be designed for laser guidance, although other possibilities also exist, including an electro-optical type. The weapon is marked BK-30F in Cyrillic and has what appears to be a relatively large fragmentation warhead section that takes up the middle of its body.

The exact type of weapon is unclear, but it could be an outgrowth of the 9K112 Kobra missile or one of its many iterations and clones, the latter of which Ukraine has developed in a wide number of configurations.

The Kobra is a Soviet-designed weapon that originally used semi-automatic command to line of sight (SACLOS) guidance. Designed to be launched from the barrel of a tank, the Kobra was guided onto its target using an optical sight, similar in fashion to how the American TOW missile does its job. Subsequent iterations of this basic missile design have been used as a basis for tube-launched anti-tank guided missiles. Ukraine’s widely deployed Stugna missile system appears at least inspired by the design, along with a number of others.

The fins on the “BK-30F” munition do not outright appear to be bowed to conform to the missile’s body, either, which is key for launching via a tube or a tank’s main gun. This could be just the image. It could also be that these weapons are produced without the spring-loaded fins to save time and money or that they are adapted from a non-tube-deployed variant. The smaller rear control fins are not visible in this image, although they may have broken off.

Regardless, even if the munition recovered together with the Baba Yaga is not directly evolved from the weapons mentioned above, Ukraine is very capable of making a guided munition like the one seen in the image.

Pairing weapons like this with Baba Yaga drones does make good sense. These uncrewed craft are not cheap or disposable weapons like their first-person view (FPV) counterparts. They are industrial-grade systems that are often used for agricultural and commercial applications. They cost tens of thousands of dollars each and can lift significant payloads over dozens of kilometers. So, while increasing their lethality is always important, increasing their survivability is just as critical.

Even if not equipped with rocket motors and just used in a free fall mode, the guided munitions would allow the Baba Yagas to engage targets from much higher altitudes and while not having to hang directly over the target they are attacking. The drones can then continue to move throughout the engagement, which would be a big help with increasing survivability. The weapon shown in the pictures that emerged today, if indeed directly related to established anti-tank types, would be very capable, both in an anti-armor and anti-personnel role, with far more explosive punch than small drone-dropped bomblets and the warheads used on many FPV drones. We are talking about a true anti-tank or heavy anti-personnel capability here.

If the missile retains its rocket motor in this configuration, and it can be reliably ignited and guided after being dropped, this could drastically increase the standoff distance that the Baba Yaga could engage targets from. The Kobra missile could hit targets up to around two-and-a-half miles away when fired from a tank. The Stugna-P has even farther reach. This would be extended significantly farther when fired from altitude, but even a few miles range would greatly expand the tactical flexibility of an armed Baba Yaga.

Laser designation would come via an electro-optical/infrared sensor turret with a laser system. These have become increasingly miniaturized and affordable for use on smaller drones, and they are well within the lifting capacity of the Baba Yaga. Even a man-in-the-loop electro-optical seeker and control capability is possible with the right communications link.

In terms of operational applications, the Baba Yaga is capable of venturing into the Russian rear areas, miles from the front lines, to hunt for targets. This opens up a huge vulnerability for enemy forces. Russia is also gaining this ability too. The use of airborne repeaters/relays to extend the connectivity range of drones large and small is also something the Baba Yaga is not only tasked with providing, but also can benefit heavily from.

By using a repeater, this large quadcopter can penetrate deeper into Russian-held territory, striking targets where the enemy isn’t as prepared to defend against such attacks. If you add laser-guided munitions to its armament portfolio, it means it can take out targets with precision from many thousands of feet in the air. At those altitudes, its line-of-sight connectivity to its operators would be greatly extended, as well.

So, overall, we are talking about a true synergistic capability here beyond just these drones gaining a more precise munition. Only Ukraine’s much more complex and expensive Bayraktar TB2 fixed-wing drones have the ability to employ guided munitions like this. They saw heavy service during the early part of the war, but suffered heavy losses as Russia’s massive anti-air overlay was established across large swathes of Ukraine. Using the Baby Yagas’ range and payload to deliver precision-guided munitions weapons is certainly a new facet of the drone war in Ukraine, but one that is also a logical evolution. While these drones are not cheap, this brings the ability to deliver these kinds of attacks behind enemy lines into the attritable cost bracket. This is something the far more capable TB2s, which were also easier to detect and engage, simply couldn’t accomplish. As a result, we will likely see the rapid expansion of this capability in the near future.

Recent reports indicate that the Ukrainian military has been actively enhancing the capabilities of its drone fleet, with a particular focus on the “Baba Yaga” quadcopters. These industrial-grade drones, originally intended for agricultural and commercial purposes, have been repurposed for military use, demonstrating a significant leap in their operational utility.

The incorporation of guided munitions into these drones marks a pivotal advancement in their combat effectiveness. The captured images of a Baba Yaga with a BK-30F munition underline this evolution. The seeker head on the munition, which appears designed for laser guidance, suggests a sophisticated targeting capability. This development aligns with Ukraine’s history of adapting existing missile technologies, such as the 9K112 Kobra, for new applications.

The Kobra missile, with its SACLOS guidance system, served as a foundation for various anti-tank guided missiles. Ukraine’s Stugna missile system is a testament to this lineage, showcasing the nation’s ability to innovate based on established designs. The BK-30F’s design, while possibly differing in deployment methods, underscores Ukraine’s capacity to produce advanced guided munitions.

The strategic pairing of these munitions with the Baba Yaga drones enhances their tactical flexibility. These drones, unlike disposable FPV counterparts, represent a significant investment in terms of cost and capability. Their ability to lift substantial payloads over long distances makes them invaluable assets in the conflict. The guided munitions enable these drones to engage targets from higher altitudes, improving their survivability by allowing them to stay mobile and avoid direct exposure to enemy defenses.

This development is crucial as it allows the Baba Yagas to strike targets with precision, both in anti-armor and anti-personnel roles. The potential to retain the rocket motor in these munitions and ignite them mid-flight would further extend the engagement range, offering a strategic advantage. The laser designation capability, possibly facilitated by miniaturized electro-optical/infrared sensor turrets, adds another layer of precision to their operations.

The operational implications of these advancements are significant. The ability to venture deep into enemy territory and strike from high altitudes introduces a new dimension to the drone warfare landscape. Russia’s countermeasures and drone capabilities highlight the escalating technological arms race in the unmanned domain. The use of airborne repeaters to extend drone connectivity underscores the innovative approaches being employed to enhance operational reach and effectiveness.

As the conflict continues, the rapid development and deployment of such technologies will likely play a decisive role. The Baba Yaga drones, equipped with guided munitions, represent a formidable tool in Ukraine’s arsenal, capable of altering the dynamics of the battlefield. The ongoing enhancements to these systems reflect a broader trend of leveraging technological advancements to gain a strategic edge in modern warfare.

In conclusion, the evolution of the Baba Yaga drones from industrial tools to advanced combat platforms exemplifies the ingenuity and adaptability of Ukraine’s military. The integration of guided munitions into these drones signifies a major leap in their combat capabilities, offering both precision and survivability. As the conflict progresses, the continued development of such technologies will be critical in shaping the outcome of the war, underscoring the importance of innovation in modern military strategy.

APPENDIX 1 – Comprehensive Technical Data and Detailed Scheme Table for the 9M112 Kobra Missile System

Based on the gathered information, here is a comprehensive detailed scheme table incorporating all relevant technical data related to the 9M112 Kobra missile system.

Technical Data Overview

Missile Composition and Components

Missile Variants

Operating Modes

This comprehensive scheme table provides a detailed overview of the 9M112 Kobra missile system’s technical aspects, organized for clarity and ease of understanding.

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