Latest news with #MiG29
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Russian MiG-29 Fitted With An 'Interceptor Drone' Is A Laughable Mess
Bizarre footage has emerged from Russia and is circulating on social media showing what's claimed to be part of an experiment to integrate a counter-uncrewed aerial system (CUAS) interceptor drone on a MiG-29 Fulcrum fighter. On closer inspection, the quadcopter drone is lashed to the fighter using zip ties and, even if that weren't the case, the practicality of the solution is extremely questionable — to say the least. But it is certainly not the first example of a Russian weapons manufacturer creating an ultimately laughable PR stunt. Relevant for combat or just PR? Russia's Project Archangel is showing the "integration" of their CUAS interceptor drone with a fighter jet "…so that the interceptor can be "piloted" by a jet fighter crew." But the drone is zip tied to the plane, so… — Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) August 10, 2025 The video was made by Project Archangel, a Russian volunteer group that has dedicated itself to 'the creation of UAVs,' mostly of the first-person view (FPV) type. These kinds of drones have become a signature weapon of the war in Ukraine, widely used by both sides, and with an increasing array of different launch platforms. The footage shows one of Archangel's quadcopter interceptor drones mounted under the outer wing of a Russian Aerospace Forces MiG-29SMT (izdeliye 9.19R). The jury-rigged installation involves the drone being attached to a sensor housing for the jet's radar warning receiver system, held secure there by commercial-type zip ties. Clearly, there is no way for the jet to actually launch the drone with this kind of setup, and clearing a drone for air-launch would require extensive trials, regardless. There is nothing to indicate the drone would survive the rigors of high-speed jet flight — especially given that it's fitted with four vulnerable propellers. In fact, it's doubtful if the jet would even be able to safely take off with a drone fixed to it in this manner. Then there is the very real possibility that it might interfere with the host aircraft's self-protection system, which it is attached to. Otherwise, the video shows a member of the Archangel team sitting in the cockpit of the Fulcrum. It concludes with a takeoff by a Flanker-series fighter, with no evidence that this aircraft is fitted with an interceptor drone. The date and location of the video are not disclosed, but it's worth noting that the Russian Ministry of Defense ordered a batch of just 14 MiG-29SMT (9.19R) fighters in 2014, making use of uncompleted airframes at Mikoyan's Moscow factory. They were delivered to the training base at Privolzhsky near Astrakhan and are not known to have seen any combat use in precise relationship between Project Archangel and the Russian Armed Forces is not entirely clear, but the group is one of several that have been set up since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with the aim of rapidly producing large numbers of FPV drones, harnessing commercial expertise and manufacturing capacity. Back in late 2023, drone expert Samuel Bendett postulated that Project Archangel was receiving Russian Ministry of Defense funding, as it increasingly embraced the opportunities offered by private initiatives of this type. In the past, Archangel has claimed that its quadcopter interceptor drone can reach a speed of up to 350 kilometers per hour (217 miles per hour) and fly over a distance of 50 kilometers (31 miles). These claims have not been verified. However, counter-air drones have to fly faster and higher than their standard FPV counterparts used for striking ground targets. The Russians has created Archangel interceptor drones to destroy UAVs and naval is claimed that the drone exists in 4 modifications, develops a speed of up to 350 km/h and has a range of 50 km. Equipped with a warhead from 650 to 2,500 grams. — MAKS 25 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) August 11, 2025 As for the group's latest claim, this states that it's working to 'integrate interceptor drones directly onto fighter jets.' In a statement on its Telegram channel, Archangel says: 'After a long search for the ideal location for our guided interceptors (which, incidentally, is still ongoing), we decided to place the interceptor on MiGs.' The statement continues: 'Of course, the aircraft itself moves a little faster than our drone's cruising speed, but it can deliver the interceptor directly to Kyiv or Lviv.' This is an entirely unrealistic aspiration, not least considering the extensive Ukrainian air defense threats concentrated on these locations, which Russian fighters do not operate even near. Even approach the front is a very dangerous game for fighters at this time. Putting aside the fact that the drone, using the installation illustrated, is entirely immobile on the aircraft, it's by no means clear how it would be operated if it were able to be released. 'The communication issue has been resolved in a radical way,' Archangel claims. 'In order not to rack our brains over the technical part, we simply trained our crew to fly a fighter jet.' The final statement, which suggests that drone operators would be retrained to fly a complex and extremely expensive fighter jet, is frankly implausible. At the same time, it also stretches credibility that the pilot of any single-seat fighter would be able to manually direct a drone to slam into a moving target, especially an aerial one. After all, the vast majority of FPV drones that go after moving targets or targets of opportunity are equipped with man-in-the-loop control. This means someone is manually flying (or more like directing) these weapons in real time and selecting their targets, normally using a headset. It also requires a continuous line-of-sight datalink between the drone and its controller. FPV drones that are not controlled in this manner are assigned to hit fixed targets, basically a set of coordinates on the map, which would be irrelevant for the drone-interception mission. For now, we can say with confidence that there is next to no chance of Russia using fighter jets to send interceptor drones into battle against hostile UAS in the skies over Ukraine any time soon. That said, there's no doubt that Russia is increasingly looking at the potential for using drones to intercept other hostile drones. Meanwhile, there are certainly moves to develop air-launched FPVs, as well as loitering munitions, and more advanced 'air launched effects' (ALEs), with a degree of blurring between the definitions of these. Ultimately, these will become a more common capability on a range of aircraft types, but this effort from Archangel is clearly highly aspirational at best. Whether strapping an interceptor drone to an antenna on a MiG-29 might help boost Project Archangel's profile is questionable. But it does underscore the fact that defenses against drones are a very high-profile issue in Russia. Contact the author: thomas@ Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Kim Jong Un does Top Gun: North Korean leader puts pilots through their paces as he calls on his people to step up preparations for war
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un channeled his inner Maverick this week as he supervised drills by the nation's air force and called for the military to step up its preparations for war. Kim inspected anti-aircraft combat and air strike manoeuvres by North Korea 's 1st Air Division on Thursday, state media reported. The hermit kingdom's 'Supreme Leader' spoke to troops while wearing a leather jacket straight out of Tom Cruise classic Top Gun. The North Korean premier called for 'all units in the entire military' to bring about 'a breakthrough in war preparation', KCNA reported. Footage of the drills on North Korean state TV showed a MiG-29 jet launching a missile. The projectile appeared to be a North Korean version of a Russia-developed mid- to long-range air-to-air missile, Hong Min, North Korea analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said. Kim has spent much of the last month trying to project strength with a series of military-related engagements. He has overseen a missile test, inspected tank and munitions plants, made a rare visit to the Russian embassy in Pyongyang reaffirming the country's alliance with Russia, and supervised tank firing drills and special operations unit training. Kim, dressed in a leather jacket, speaks to troops on Thursday - one of many military-related engagements the 'Supreme Leader' has carried out over the last month North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) saluting a MiG-29 flypast during anti-air combat and air raid drills by the Guards 1st Air Division of the North Korean Army at an undisclosed location in North Korea North Korea also slammed the U.S. State Department for placing it on a list of countries that do not fully cooperate with U.S. counterterrorism efforts. Pyongyang has been placed on the list every year since 1997, South Korea 's Yonhap News Agency said. 'The more the U.S. provokes the DPRK with unnecessary and inefficient malicious acts, the further it will escalate the irreconcilable hostility between the DPRK and the U.S.,' a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, using the country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. 'The DPRK will... take effective and proper measures to cope with the U.S. hostile provocations in all spheres.' Earlier this month North Korea and Russia announced that they have begun building their first road link between the two countries announced. The two nations hailed the construction of a bridge over a border river as a major development that will further expand their political and economic ties. The kilometre-long Tumangang Road bridge, which is expected to take 18 months to construct, aims to expand cross-border travel of people, tourism and circulation of commodities, Russian and North Korean news agencies reported. Relations and exchange programs between the two countries have been flourishing in recent years, with North Korea supplying ammunition and troops to support Russia's war against Ukraine. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is giving a round of applause by pilots from the country's military North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (R) watching a flypast of three Saetbyol-9 multi-purpose attack drones during anti-air combat and air raid drills by the Guards 1st Air Division of the North Korean Army Kim Jong Un talks to military members as he inspects projectiles during a visit to an airfield in this photo released by the Korean Central News Agency In April Kim unveiled a nuclear-capable naval destroyer that he claimed would bolster North Korea's ability to defend itself in the face of perceived aggression from the US and its regional allies. The North Korean leader attended the warship's launch ceremony at the western port of Nampo with his teenage daughter Kim Ju Ae, according to state-run media.
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Nato and Russian fighter jets face-off over Baltic Sea
Russian and Nato fighter jets faced off in a confrontation above the Baltic Sea, after Estonia tried to detain a sanctioned oil tanker. Nato member Estonia spotted the sanctioned Jaguar tanker heading towards Russia and dispatched a helicopter and a navy patrol boat to try and stop the ship, which was allegedly sailing under no flag. Nato aircraft, including Polish MiG-29s, were scrambled as the vessel refused to cooperate. In response, Moscow scrambled a Su-35 to protect the sanctioned tanker, and is alleged to have entered Nato airspace while trying to do so. The tanker was able to escape and is now anchored near the Russian port of Primorsk. Video footage posted on X shows the confrontation. Filmed from a bridge of a tanker believed to be the Jaguar, the video shows a navy surveillance boat, a helicopter and a patrol aircraft hovering nearby. 'This is Estonian warship... follow my instructions, alter your course to 105 immediately,' says a voice on the radio. In Russian, a voice says off-camera: 'We are met by helicopters, they demand we go on anchor.' Military jets are seen flying around the vessels. The Jaguar tanker is part of Moscow's shadow fleet and was sanctioned by Britain last Friday. But on Tuesday, it was spotted heading towards Russia. The ship was near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio, Commander Ivo Vark told Reuters news agency. As it was sailing 'without a nationality', Estonia 'had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status', he said on Wednesday. 'The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia... given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary.' An Estonian patrol escorted the Jaguar until it reached Russian waters, he added. Estonia's foreign minister described the situation as 'really serious'. 'The Russian Federation sent a fighter jet to check the situation, and this fighter jet violated Nato territory for close to one minute,' Margus Tsahkna told reporters in the Turkish city of Antalya. 'We need to understand that Russia has officially tried and connected itself to the Russian 'shadow fleet',' he said, speaking ahead of a meeting of Nato foreign ministers. '(The) Russian Federation is ready to protect the 'shadow fleet'... The situation is really serious,' he added. The Jaguar is one of more than 100 ships in Russia's shadow fleet, a term Western countries use for ships they accuse Moscow of deploying to avoid international sanctions, typically unregulated and uninsured by regular Western organisations. On Thursday, the Jaguar was anchored near the Russian port of Primorsk, Marine Traffic data showed. It was listed there under the flag of the central African nation of Gabon.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Watch dramatic Nato vs Russia sea clash erupt as warplanes buzz Putin's ‘shadow fleet' vessel as it's ordered ‘stop NOW'
BOTH Nato and Russia scrambled warplanes in a dramatic dogfight over the Baltic Sea after a tense standoff over an undercover Russian tanker. Estonian sea and air forces stalked and tried to board an oil tanker called Jaguar - thought to be part of Russia's shadow fleet. 7 7 It was draped in the Gabon flag, but was sanctioned by Britain on Friday over accusations it is a Russian pawn. Nato aircraft - including Polish MiG-29s - were scrambled as the vessel refused to cooperate. In response, Russia scrambled a Su-35S fighter jet which is said to have violated Estonian airspace as it stormed in to cover for the fleeing Jaguar. In dramatic footage, the Polish Nato plane can be seen tailing the Russian Su-35 in a dogfight over the Gulf of Finland - part of the Baltic Sea. A Russian voice on the bridge of the tanker goaded the Estonians, calling them 'clowns' as they tried and failed to board. The tanker ultimately anchored near Gogland Island - controlled by Russia - in the eastern Baltic Sea. Footage shows the high drama in one of the most tense regions in the world amid disputes between Russia and Nato over Ukraine. 'This is how we're greeted with helicopters,' said a voice -apparently Russian - on the tanker. "They're demanding we anchor.' A message is heard saying: 'This is Estonian warship Papa 6732. 'Your request will be denied. Satellite pics show Putin on the march as Russia masses troops 35 miles from Nato border with 2k soldiers & helicopters 'Follow my instructions. Immediately change course to 105. Over.' A voice from the tanker in Hindi says: 'That looks like our drone in front….' A Russian voice demands: 'Go on, hit it running….' Referring to the Estonians, he says: 'What a bunch of clowns!' The Estonian vessel comes close to the tanker seeking to swerve it to the right. 7 7 An Estonian A139 helicopter and an M-28 Skytruck plane of the Estonian defence forces were seen circling the vessel. Boasting a success against the West, pro-Kremlin news outlet Izvestia reported: 'Despite this show of force, the Estonian authorities were unable to stop the vessel. 'The Jaguar ultimately reached Gogland Island, a Russian-controlled territory in the Gulf [of Finland], and resumed its route to Primorsk'. Russian outlet News-Pravda reported, 'Sailors from the Baltic Republic [Estonia] twice tried to land troops from a helicopter.' After the extraordinary clash, Nato state Estonia summoned the Russian Chargé d'Affaires in Tallinn, Lenar Salimullin, who was handed a note of protest, accusing the Putin warplane of violating the republic's airspace. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said: "From Estonia's point of view, this is a very serious and regrettable incident that is in no way unacceptable." He demanded that Russia "must face tougher, faster sanctions" . The tanker had been near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 15:30 GMT on Tuesday, said Commander Ivo Vark. He added that it was was sailing "without a nationality' and Estonia "had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status". "The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia [...] given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary.' Estonia escorted it until the vessel reached Russian waters. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the ship was sent from Estonian to Russian territorial waters to prevent a threat to his country's critical infrastructure. 7 7 He said: "The issue was the ship's flag state, and our most important goal was to ensure the security of critical infrastructure. This was achieved." The 800-ft long Jaguar is a crude oil tanker reportedly sailing under the flag of Gabon. The Equasis database suggested the ship changed its name and flag state at the beginning of February. According to this data its name is now Argent and its flag state is Guinea-Bissau. Putin uses a vast network of non-Russian tankers - called a shadow fleet - to avoid oil sanctions.
Daily Mail
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS NATO and Russia clash in Baltic Sea 'dog fight' as Polish jet tails SU-35 warplane and Estonian forces 'try to board 800ft Moscow oil tanker sanctioned by Britain'
Both NATO and Russia scrambled warplanes in a dramatic 'dogfight' above the Baltic after a major standoff over a tanker in Vladimir Putin 's shadow fleet. Estonian forces sought to board the 'Gabon-flagged' oil tanker Jaguar using a patrol vessel and helicopter, as well as a surveillance vessel. The Russian-bound ship is suspected of being used by Moscow as part of its shadow fleet to avoid international sanctions. It was sanctioned by Britain on Friday. NATO aircraft - including Polish MiG-29s were scrambled as the vessel refused to cooperate. Russia also deployed a Su-35S fighter jet which allegedly violated Estonian airspace as it sought to provide cover for the fleeing Jaguar. In dramatic footage, the Polish - NATO - plane was seen tailing the Russian Su-35 in a combat over the Gulf of Finland, which is part of the Baltic Sea. A Russian voice on the bridge of the tanker accused the Estonians of being 'clowns' as they tried and failed to board the vessel. The tanker ultimately anchored near Gotland Island - controlled by Russia - in the eastern Baltic Sea. Footage shows the high drama in one of the most tense regions in the world amid disputes between Russia and NATO over Ukraine. 'This is how we're greeted with helicopters,' said a voice -apparently Russian - on the tanker. 'They're demanding we anchor.' A message is heard saying: 'This is Estonian warship Papa 6732. 'Your request will be denied. 'Follow my instructions. Immediately change course to 105. Over.' A voice from the tanker in Hindi says: 'That looks like our drone in front….' A Russian voice demands: 'Go on, hit it running….' Referring to the Estonians, he says: 'What a bunch of clowns!' The Estonian vessel comes close to the tanker seeking to swerve it to the right. An Estonian A139 helicopter and an M-28 Skytruck plane of the Estonian defence forces were seen circling the vessel. Boasting a success against the West, pro-Kremlin news outlet Izvestia reported: 'Despite this show of force, the Estonian authorities were unable to stop the vessel. 'The Jaguar ultimately reached Gogland Island …. a Russian-controlled territory in the Gulf [of Finland], and resumed its route to Primorsk'. Russian outlet News-Pravda reported, 'Sailors from the Baltic Republic [Estonia] twice tried to land troops from a helicopter.' After the extraordinary clash, NATO state Estonia summoned the Russian Chargé d'Affaires in Tallinn, Lenar Salimullin, who was handed a note of protest, accusing the Putin warplane of violating the republic's airspace. 'From Estonia's point of view, this is a very serious and regrettable incident that is in no way unacceptable,' said Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. He demanded that Russia 'must face tougher, faster sanctions' . The tanker had been near Naissaar Island, off Tallinn, when the Estonian Navy communicated with it by radio at 1530 GMT on Tuesday, said Commander Ivo Vark. It was sailing 'without a nationality' and Estonia 'had an obligation to verify the vessel's documents and legal status', said the Estonian. 'The vessel denied cooperation and continued its journey toward Russia... given the vessel's lack of nationality, the use of force, including boarding the vessel, was deemed unnecessary.' Estonia escorted it until the vessel reached Russian waters. Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur said the ship was sent from Estonian to Russian territorial waters to prevent a threat to his country's critical infrastructure. 'The issue was the ship's flag state, and our most important goal was to ensure the security of critical infrastructure. This was achieved,' he claimed. The 800-ft long Jaguar is a crude oil tanker reportedly sailing under the flag of Gabon. The Equasis database suggested the ship changed its name and flag state at the beginning of February. According to this data its name is now Argent and its flag state is Guinea-Bissau. Putin uses a vast network of non-Russian tankers - called a shadow fleet - to avoid oil sanctions.
