Reporting From Ukraine:https://www.youtube.com/@RFU/videosExcerpts from the video transcript:
Incredible German Auto-Aiming Killer Drones Obliterate Russian Rear!
Today [ Apr 19, 8 pm ], there is a lot of news from Ukraine. Here, Ukrainian special forces received Germany’s cutting-edge loitering munitions, powered with artificial intelligence for automatic targeting. Striking high-value targets deep behind enemy lines, Russians are struggling to find an answer against increasing number of high-tech Ukrainian strike drones appearing on the battlefield. Recently, the Ukrainians received the first batch of the new German HF-1 loitering drones, which they immediately used to devastating effect. Combat footage from the Belgorod region reveals how the Ukrainians managed to successfully utilize the new loitering drones to destroy Russian Pantsir S1 and Buk M3 air defense systems, together with a Kupol radar, conducting the strikes at least 50km away from the frontline. This showcased the effectiveness of the new German-made loitering drone, capable of flying for about an hour with an operational loitering range of 45–50km, and up to 100km when directed at a known target.
Ukrainian forces can operate the HF-1 drone manually, guiding it toward preset targets and relying on terminal guidance to bypass Russian electronic warfare in the final phase of flight. However, the HF-1 drone is equipped with onboard AI that can autonomously detect, identify, and lock onto targets. A standout feature of the HF-1 is its wooden fuselage, made from plywood instead of plastic or composites. This radio-transparent material reduces radar visibility and acts as a heat insulator, lowering the drone’s infrared signature and making it harder for air defenses to detect and engage with either radar or heat-seeking missiles and gun systems. Notably, Helsing, the company behind the HF-1, has also announced the ongoing production of 6,000 HX-2 strike drones, directly ordered by Ukraine. The HX-2 is an upgraded variant of the HF-1, offering over 100km of loitering range and an even longer direct strike range. Like its predecessor, it features an onboard AI system that can autonomously detect, re-identify, and engage targets without requiring a constant data link. Integrated with advanced software, HX-2 drones can operate together in coordinated swarms, allowing a single operator to target entire convoys or grouped-up targets at once. Designed for mass production at a lower cost than conventional systems, the HX-2 helps fill a gap in ongoing shortages of military equipment.
Ukraine is also ramping up domestic production of the U.S.-designed Switchblade 600 drones, a lighter-to-carry alternative to Javelin anti-tank missiles, at half the cost. Like the HF-1 and HX-2, the Switchblade 600 is a loitering munition. However, it carries a Javelin anti-tank warhead, detonating above the target where the armor is weakest, making it highly effective against armored targets. With a range of 40-80km and over 40 minutes of flight time, it has already proven its effectiveness by destroying advanced Russian armor, including Russian T-90M tanks and Terminator BMP’s, the most modern armored vehicles in Russia’s arsenal ... Ukrainians are positioned to escalate precision strikes on high-value Russian targets. Meanwhile, Ukraine is increasing domestic production of the highly effective Switchblade 600, providing infantry with the firepower of a Javelin anti-tank missile at a much greater range, using a system that fits in their backpack. If effectively employed, these loitering munitions could seriously disrupt Russian logistics and planning and will potentially play a critical role in dismantling the summer offensive before it begins.
