Russia promotes Lancet-E suicide drone for global market

At this year’s Army 2024 exhibition, visitors had the opportunity to view the “Lancet-E” loitering munition system on display for the first time.

The system, designed by ZALA Aero, a subsidiary of the Kalashnikov Concern, is now being actively promoted for export.

The “Lancet-E” system, known popularly as the “suicide drone,” includes the ZALA Z-16E short-range reconnaissance drone, the “Izdelie 51-E” heavily guided munition, and the “Izdelie 52-E” light guided munition.

The “Lancet-E” loitering munition is designed for remote operations, enabling both aerial reconnaissance and precision strikes against stationary and moving targets in a variety of conditions, including day and night. The system has a maximum range of 40 kilometers (25 miles) and a maximum takeoff weight of up to 12 kilograms (26 pounds). In combat mode, it can be equipped with various warheads, including high explosive (HE), HE-fragmentation, or shaped charge warheads.

The drone’s guidance system is a key feature, utilizing optical-electronic guidance and a TV guidance unit that allows for control during the terminal stage of flight. This technology, combined with the drone’s intelligence, navigation, and communications modules, makes the Lancet a versatile tool for modern warfare.

ZALA Aero’s decision to push the “Lancet-E” into the export market is marked by the recent approval of a promotional passport for military-grade products. This document permits the open display and advertisement of the system, along with the publication of its characteristics and capabilities.