Lyuty UAV: ​​A new stage in the development of Ukraine's long-range attack drones

In modern armed conflicts unmanned aerial vehicles UAVs play a crucial role in achieving tactical superiority, particularly in missions involving deep penetration behind enemy lines. The Ukrainian kamikaze drone "Lyutyi" (Russian for "February") stands out among them due to its combination of significant range, powerful payload, and the ability to deliver precision strikes against strategic targets. Adapted for long-term operations, "Lyutyi" has carved out a niche in the arsenal, offering a solution for strikes over 1000 km.

Background and creation

The development of the Lyuty drone was announced in the fall of 2022 as a project to create a heavy kamikaze drone for long-range strikes. Initially, the device was positioned as a 200-kilogram carrier capable of carrying a warhead weighing up to 75 kg over a range of 1000 km. Production was conducted under strict secrecy, using repurposed civilian technologies, including components from agricultural drones for field cultivation. By the spring of 2023, serial production had been established, allowing the transition from prototypes to mass production. Localization of components, including engines and navigation systems, minimized dependence on imports, and the integration of inertial navigation with satellite correction ensured resistance to jamming.

By 2024, the Lyutyi had undergone upgrades that increased its effectiveness. In November of that year, a version with a 75 kg warhead, capable of striking targets at a range of 1300 km, was released. Improvements included optimized aerodynamics, borrowed from Turkish counterparts like the Bayraktar TB2, with a twin-boom vertical stabilizer for improved stability. By October 2025, production had reached hundreds of units per year, making the Lyutyi a key element of the arsenal. Future developments include the development of variants with increased payload capacity and autonomous guidance elements, planned for 2026. These changes, based on combat experience, have transformed the Lyutyi into a versatile tool for strategic strikes against critical infrastructure.

Design and specifications

The Lyuty design is focused on range and stealth, with an emphasis on ease of production and reliability in the field. The aircraft features straight wings and a streamlined fuselage, measuring 4,4 meters in length with a 6,7-meter wingspan. Its composite body ensures lightness (the drone weighs approximately 200 kg empty) and reduced radar signature. The nose section houses the warhead and navigation equipment, while the tail section is equipped with a three-bladed pusher propeller. The wheeled landing gear allows for takeoff from any road, simplifying deployment. This configuration minimizes logistical requirements, making the drone suitable for mobile teams.

The Hirth F-23 gasoline engine produces approximately 50 hp, providing a cruising speed of 150 km/h and a maximum speed of up to 200 km/h. The aircraft has a range of 1000–1500 km, depending on the load, with an endurance of up to 10 hours. Its low noise level and ability to fly at low altitudes make it difficult to detect. The control system combines inertial navigation with GPS correction, with backup algorithms for operation in electronic warfare environments. The 2024–2025 modifications will add optical sensors for terminal guidance, increasing accuracy.

The 50-75 kg warhead, housed in the nose section, contains high-explosive fragmentation charges of the "impact core" type with a fragmentation effect, optimized for the destruction of industrial targets. Launch is carried out from mobile platforms or catapults in 10-15 minutes. Jam-resistant electronics ensure reliability at a relatively low production cost.

Specifications:

• Fuselage length: 4,4 m
• Wingspan: 6,7 m
• Take-off weight: 250–300 kg
• Warhead weight: 50 – 75 kg
• Flight range: 1000–1500 km
• Cruising speed: 150 km / h
• Maximum speed: 200 km / h
• Flight altitude: 50–3000 m
• Engine: gasoline, 50 hp
• Navigation: inertial + GPS
• Unit Cost: ~$50,000–$100,000

These parameters make the Lyuty universal: its significant range allows it to attack targets deep in the rear, and its powerful warhead ensures a high destructive effect against fortified targets.

Combat application

The first known combat use of the Lyuty took place in May 2023, when a drone attacked the Black Sea Fleet's coast guard base in Crimea, although the craft was neutralized by electronic warfare. Since then, its tactics have evolved to massive night raids, focusing on energy infrastructure. Several dozen Lyutys are launched in these attacks, straining air defenses and depleting resources. The maximum recorded range is 1352 km.

The main targets are oil refineries, oil depots and industrial complexes.

Drawbacks include vulnerability to electronic warfare and a relatively low speed, making it easy to intercept. Dependence on satellite navigation limits its use in jamming. However, its range and accuracy compensate for these weaknesses: a single penetration causes millions of dollars in damage.

Meaning and Legacy

The "Lyuty" changed the approach to long-range strikes, demonstrating that heavy kamikaze drones could cripple energy infrastructure at minimal cost.

"Lyuty" became the basis for new developments, including versions with autonomous AI and increased payload. Plans for 2026 include export and adaptation for partners, strengthening its market position.