Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) shot down two Su-30 Flanker multirole fighters with AIM-9 Sidewinder infrared-guided air-to-air missiles fired by Magura-7 drone boats, the head of the agency told The War Zone exclusively.
This marks the first time fighter airecraft have been downed by drone boats and the first use of the AIM-9 from a drone boat for a kill.Its a historical moment,Lt.
Gen.
Kyrylo Budanov told us.
The War Zone cannot independently verify this claim.The incident took place in the Black Sea on Friday, said Budanov, who offered new details about what happened.
Previous reporting from GUR, the Ukrainian Defense Ministry and Russian Telegram channels stated that one Flanker was shot down by an adapted infrared-guidedR-73(AA-11 Archer) short-range air-to-air missile.Video emerged on social media showing the first Flanker downing.
Budanov said there were no videos or images of the second engagement.GUR used three Magura-7 drone boats in the attack, with two of them firing on the jets, according to Budanov.
The Magura-7 is an air defense variant of the Magura-5, he explained, declining to elaborate on the difference between the two.Budanov said that the crew of the first Su-30 survived and was picked up in the Black Sea by a civilian ship.
Preliminary reports say the crew of the second jet was killed, he added.Ukraines successful shooting down of an Su-30 Flanker fighter on May 2 has been joined by a second downed Flanker.
These are the first two fighter jets in history to be downed by an uncrewed surface drone, but they are unlikely to be the last.
We can now add further details following statements by Lt.
Gen.
Kyrylo Budanov, chief of Ukraines Defence Intelligence Directorate (HUR), and by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Naval News can reveal the previously unreported maritime drone (USV) which scored the kills.Su-30 FlankerAs a point of detail, some statements indicated that a Magura V5 drone was used, but Naval News can confirm that it was in fact a larger Magura V7.
This is the first time that the V7 variant has been revealed to the public.Naval News initially reported, before further information was available, that the USVs likely used AA-11 Archer missiles.
That configuration, known as Sea Dragon, was the only one publicly known.
Now we can reveal the Sidewinder armed type.A Mature Capability: Magura V7Magura V7 surface drone (USV) armed with two Sidewinder missiles.
Note that the missiles have yellow protective covers over their seekers, indicating that it is on a test run.The Magura V7 is quite different from the USV used to carry Sea Dragon missiles.
That was a wider hull with large fixed launch rails.
The V7 is essentially an enlarged Magura V5, the baseline model used to ram enemy ships with an explosive charge.
It is approximately 8 meters (26 feet) long compared the the V5 at 5.5 meters (18 feet).The V7 represents a mature capability compared to the Sea Dragon version which can be thought of as the prototype.
It is cleaner and better thought out.
It is unclear however whether it is exclusively armed with Sidewinder missiles or can carry other weapons.The Magura V7 shares similar lines to the V5 version but has a reshaped bow.
This feature suggests improved sea keeping, useful for operations in winter.
It is seen with several communications antenna and sensors.
It does not appear to have an explosive charge in the bow, due to the lack of impact detonators, but this may be configurable.Sidewinder ArmedThe two American-made Sidewinder missiles are mounted on their aircraft launch rails, which appear to be able to be elevated for launch.
The missiles operational range and performance is similar to the Soviet era AA-11 Archer (R-73) missiles used by the Sea Dragon.
Engagements may take place at around 10 km, although it may be much shorter in practice than in theory.The success of Ukraines uncrewed surface drones (USVs) cannot be overstated.
They are rewriting the rules of naval warfare.Sources: Naval News; The War Zone