Russian efforts falter against Ukrainian cropduster drones
A recording has surfaced online showing a failed Russian attempt to shoot down a Ukrainian E-300 Enterprise drone near Bryansk. Let's explore what these drones entail.
In the video below, you can observe a Russian soldier, likely using a machine gun with an attached thermal sight, attempting to bring down a Ukrainian drone in the vicinity of Bryansk. It's important to note that the Russian soldier lost track of the target at specific points and was firing behind the cropduster.
The Ukrainian E-300 Enterprise drone is modelled on an old biplane, similar to the An-2 or Po-2. It carries an aerial bomb from the FAB family, providing considerable firepower using a readily available platform.
Old cropdusters as unmanned bombers
The concept of transforming old biplanes like the An-2 or Po-2, often known as cropdusters, into drones is a testament to Ukrainians' ingenuity. Once wasted away in yards or displayed in museums, these aircraft have found new life.
With some modifications, these planes can be converted for unmanned flight by adding suitable sensors, satellite and inertial navigation, and actuators to control their surfaces. As a result, you obtain a drone capable of flying even several thousand miles, as the available payload is used for a warhead and additional fuel tanks.
Previously, Ukrainians used cropdusters as kamikaze drones, a one-time strategy. Now, models can drop an FAB-550 bomb on a designated target and return to base. Some cropdusters return intact, which, with luck, allows one aircraft to be used for multiple attacks.
These basic drones do not significantly challenge anti-aircraft systems like Pantsir-S1 or even ZSU‑23-4 Shilka. However, both Russians and Ukrainians lack sufficient systems to protect all sensitive locations.
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