The Ukrainian An-196 Liutyi attack drone was unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow equipped with four new compact air-to-surface missiles, expanding its offensive capabilities.
The weapons can strike targets at distances of up to 200 kilometers and fly at approximately 500 km/h, offering a long-range option for precision-strike missions.
Although the weight of the warhead has not been disclosed, experts believe it is smaller than the one used in Roketsan’s MAM family of guided bombs because of the space occupied by the propulsion system and fuel. Another detail that drew attention was the absence of an onboard electro-optical system on the drone displayed, suggesting that the missiles may operate using navigation based on preprogrammed coordinates.
Even so, future versions of the An-196 Liutyi are expected to receive electro-optical sensors, allowing them to identify and designate targets during flight. If this happens, the aircraft could perform not only attack missions but also intelligence, surveillance and target acquisition tasks (ISR), bringing its capabilities closer to those offered by the Bayraktar TB2.
Developed to strike strategic targets in enemy territory, the An-196 Liutyi features inertial navigation with satellite correction, the ability to follow complex routes and a low-wing airframe with a twin-tail configuration. Equipped with an internal combustion engine and a rear-mounted pusher propeller, the UAV measures 4.4 meters in length, has a wingspan of 6.7 meters and carries a payload of approximately 75 kilograms.
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Source and images: Ukrainian defense agency – Oboronka | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
