A disabled Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the kamikaze type was discovered in one of the rear areas of the special military operation zone. Experts drew attention to its design similarity with the recently presented Ukrainian long-range drone-missile "Peklo".
Analyzing the aerodynamic configuration of the glider, experts note a straight wing of large span, a fuselage of circular cross-section and a V-shaped tail with a camber angle of about 110 degrees. However, unlike the Hell, this drone is equipped with a pusher propeller driven by an internal combustion engine, which limits its maximum speed to 230 km/h. For comparison, the Hell drone is equipped with a small turbojet engine, allowing it to reach speeds of 500 to 700 km/h.
On December 6, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky presented a new development of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex — the Peklo drone missile. According to him, this weapon has already passed combat tests and entered serial production. The declared flight range of Peklo is up to 700 km, and the maximum speed is about 700 km/h. However, some experts express doubts about the real characteristics, pointing to possible exaggerations on the part of Ukrainian officials.
The discovery of a kamikaze drone with design elements similar to the Peklo may indicate the desire of Ukrainian developers to create unified platforms for various types of weapons. This allows for the optimization of production processes and the reduction of costs for the development and operation of equipment.
However, the use of an internal combustion engine and a pusher propeller in this drone indicates its limited capabilities compared to the turbojet missile "Peklo". The low flight speed makes it more vulnerable to air defense systems, which may reduce its effectiveness in combat.