The use of drones in modern warfare has been gaining significant attention in recent years. Drones have proven to be invaluable assets for military forces, offering a range of benefits including enhanced surveillance capabilities, increased precision strikes, and reduced casualties. However, the development of drones that can carry heavy payloads and engage in close-quarters combat has been limited until now. A Ukrainian drone manufacturer, Wild Hornets, has made significant strides in this area by developing a drone-mounted grenade launcher. The company released footage of the drone in action, showcasing its capabilities and demonstrating the potential of this technology in combat. The drone, known as the “Queen of Hornets,” is a quadcopter with a 15- to 17-inch frame, making it one of the largest FPV drones commercially produced for combat in Ukraine. The drone is typically used as a bomber, dropping explosives from above. However, in this latest development, the “Queen of Hornets” has been fitted with a grenade launcher, allowing it to engage enemy targets in a more traditional manner. The footage released by Wild Hornets shows two instances of the drone-mounted grenade launcher firing over open terrain. In the first clip, a soldier can be seen caught in the resulting explosion and being knocked to the ground. The target in this clip is believed to have been a Russian soldier, who died as a result of the explosion. The second clip shows the drone-mounted launcher firing at a target that is not clearly visible. The footage suggests that the drone is capable of engaging targets at a range of several hundred meters. The drone manufacturer has stated that both clips featured one of its designs, the “Queen of Hornets” drone, as the platform for the grenade launcher. The platform is designed to be reusable, allowing Ukrainian operators to use the same drone multiple times. The Bulspike AP, the Bulgarian anti-personnel grenade launcher used on the “Queen of Hornets” drone, is a 2-kilogram fragmentation grenade that can fire at an effective range of about 100 meters, or 328 feet. This technology has significant implications for Ukrainian military operations, as it allows Ukrainian operators to engage enemy targets in a more traditional manner, using a mortar-like approach. The Bulspike AP is a more advanced version of the traditional mortar, with a significantly increased range capability. The technology is also more versatile, allowing for the use of various types of ammunition, including fragmentation grenades and high-explosive rounds. **Key Features of the Drone-Mounted Grenade Launcher:**
• The drone-mounted grenade launcher is designed to be reusable, allowing Ukrainian operators to use the same drone multiple times. • The drone is equipped with the Bulspike AP, a Bulgarian anti-personnel grenade launcher that can fire at an effective range of about 100 meters, or 328 feet. • The drone is capable of engaging targets at a range of several hundred meters, using a mortar-like approach. • The technology has significant implications for Ukrainian military operations, allowing Ukrainian operators to engage enemy targets in a more traditional manner. The potential of this technology is vast, and its implications for modern warfare are significant. The use of drones with mounted grenade launchers could revolutionize the way Ukrainian military forces engage enemy targets, offering a range of benefits including enhanced precision strikes, increased accuracy, and reduced casualties. However, there are still significant challenges to overcome before this technology can be deployed at scale. Ukrainian companies have developed and tested a wide range of drone weapons, including mounted shotguns and Kalashnikov rifles, but troops are still widely relying on loitering munitions and bombers as their bread and butter. Despite these challenges, the development of the drone-mounted grenade launcher represents a significant step forward in the use of drones in modern warfare. It highlights the potential of this technology to transform the way military forces engage enemy targets, and it underscores the importance of continued innovation and investment in this area. **Technical Specifications:**
| Key Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Drone Model | The “Queen of Hornets” drone, a quadcopter with a 15- to 17-inch frame. |
| Grenade Launcher | The Bulspike AP, a Bulgarian anti-personnel grenade launcher that can fire at an effective range of about 100 meters, or 328 feet. |
| Range Capability | Several hundred meters, using a mortar-like approach. |
| Reusability | Designed to be reusable, allowing Ukrainian operators to use the same drone multiple times. |
The potential of drones with mounted grenade launchers is vast, and it is only a matter of time before this technology becomes a standard component of modern military operations. As military forces continue to adapt to the evolving landscape of modern warfare, it is likely that we will see the widespread adoption of this technology in the years to come.
