In the early days of the war, Ukraine’s small drone strike force could be easily divided into two types: improvised consumer DJI quadcopters armed with small Vog-17 or hand grenades, and R-18 octocopters operated by Aerorozvidka with larger anti-tank munitions. Both types have been highly effective, and Ukrainian forces have been extending their operations with a bewildering variety of improvised or locally-made drones with heavier bombloads. Here’s a rundown of the many types we have seen, products of a broad ecosystem of ingenious drone engineers, as assorted as Heinz’s legendary ’57 Varieties.’

Often the goal is to hit more targets in one sortie. In December the 226th battalion of the 127th Territorial Defence Brigade showed off a large commercial quadcopter with six mortar bombs in vertical tubes. A video of a similar drone appeared in October, described as carrying six 82mm mortar bombs (weighing about 7 pounds each), with another showing it being reloaded with practice…

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Source: news.google.com