The Ukrainian drone Dovbush T10 has taken on a new role as a carrier for FPV drones. In this configuration, the T10 also serves as a key signal relay between the highly maneuverable, one-way attack drones and their operators.
Serhiy Beskrestnov recently shared a video on his Telegram channel showing an apparent test of the T10 drone acting as a carrier for two FPV kamikaze drones, one mounted under each wing. Beskrestnov, a Ukrainian serviceman known as an expert in “radio technologies” and other military electronics, regularly posts about new UAV systems, electronic warfare, and other battlefield developments. According to Beskrestnov, the T10 can carry up to six drones at once. The footage he shared online shows the kamikaze drones being released while the launch platform continues moving independently. The test target for both drones was a pickup truck. Interestingly, the video also reveals that the drones are held under the T10’s wings upside down, and they flip over when released.
In his Telegram post, Beskrestnov did not provide further details about the T10’s capabilities as a carrier, including its range and endurance, or how far the drones can travel after being launched.
The T10 first appeared at the end of 2022 as a surveillance and reconnaissance platform with an unspecified sensor package and a claimed flight range of just under 35 km. The drone can also be used as a strike asset, carrying a warhead weighing nearly 12 kg. In its base configuration, it is reported to cost around $12,000.
The primary method of launching the T10 involves using a launcher mounted on the roof of a pickup truck, which accelerates the drone to a speed sufficient for it to take off autonomously. The design is reportedly equipped with a navigation package that can, to some extent, utilize an inertial navigation system (INS) in case the GPS signal is jammed, a common threat on the battlefield in Ukraine.
At its simplest, the T10 drone offers a way to extend the operational range of typically small UAVs, launching them at the edge of their own combat radius. This also provides the drones with additional time that they can use for target identification and/or maneuvering, or even to abort an initial attack and return from a different, unexpected vector.
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, already being implemented in Ukraine, could represent a significant step forward for kamikaze drones in general. AI-guided targeting would be a major asset for UAVs, particularly in the final phase of flight when the human operator must manually locate targets and guide the drone towards them. However, the combination of the launch platform and signal relay in a single unit already addresses many of the limitations. AI could still provide valuable support if the relay fails or the carrier is shot down.
While the Ukrainian base drone aircraft based on the T10 may not be the first of its kind to emerge in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, it serves as further evidence that such a combination already offers distinct advantages.
Source: TWZ
