How Ukraine's Cheap Drones Hit Targets Deep Inside Russia, Explained

Ukraine has been able to strike strategic targets deep inside Russia. This video explains those drones, the types and the trends. Detailed guide here www.hisutton.co.... Unscripted and Unedited

[@mikedittsche]

As somewhat of a connoisseur of black and orange PowerPoint presentations about war economics, I very much enjoyed this video.

[@MadeAnAccountOnlyToReplyToThis]

Don't know why you'd brag about watching that fraud

[@DaRoosterSee]

Yeah agree! Same here. Be a cool team up maybe? 🤔 anyways keep up the good work.

[@notme9816]

Perun?

[@mikedittsche]

@@notme9816 the one and only

[@76dg15]

A second video in 2 days, damn you’re spoiling us

[@seancgray1]

Who else has watched every one of HI Sutton’s videos, and anxiously awaits the next? It’s my favourite channel on KZbin. I feel like I’m at 10 Downing St sitting with a cup of tea getting my daily defence briefing.

[@pistonburner6448]

I have a name for the fan club: H I Glutton

[@ailinofaolin8897]

I'm a fairly new sub and have watched every video, this is easily one of my favourite channels.

[@alexrox321]

Hi Sutton and Perun are the only videos i actually look forward to on YT really

[@atticusrussell1225]

​@@alexrox321 haha I was about to also mention Perun ! Sandbox news with Alex hollings is also pretty good for aerospace stuff.

[@shockload6731]

You’re credited as a source for Annie Jacobson’s new book. When I read your name in the book I got excited. My media has come full circle!

[@DaRoosterSee]

What book? Pease share!

[@jamesjross]

Right that's cool and all but read Ryan McBeth's take on that book... @DaRoosterSee Its called "Nuclear War" Annie JacobsEn.

[@rowanpost6063]

We are unworthy of back to back blessings from HISutton

[@gafrers]

Interesting as always. 2 videos in 2 days, is great.

[@robertdavenport1109]

I was thinking the same is it Christmas 🎄

[@herpderp3131]

5:44 - "You can't rely on drones purchased from Ali-Baba." Damn, the times we live in...

[@Привид_Бандери]

ALL drones are useful in war, doesn't matter where they're from, it's all in how we use them.

[@x_hibernia]

Well they are producing there own domestic drones because the Chinese built one's the Chinese have been feeding intelligence on Ukraine's positions so they only buy raw parts and make there own hardware

[@TheNefastor]

Thankfully there's Wish and Temu!

[@wyskass861]

@@Привид_Бандери Where they are from correlates who made then, and who made them correlates with quality, capability, cost, availability among factors. Do you not distinguish differences between manufacturers when buying things?

[@MikeMike-er7kn]

I think he means you can't rely on being to able to continually purchase drones from ali baba.

[@tiitsaul9036]

Thanks for sharing. Much appreciated 👍

[@HISuttonCovertShores]

Thanks for watching

[@thomas_bahama]

​@@HISuttonCovertShores ukraine lost LOL. Now they're just managing the decline.

[@davidelliott5843]

The ultralight aircraft drones are wonderful but build time is enormous. They could be thrown together faster than a human rated aircraft but build time is still big. Something using PS foam wing cores covered with shrink to fit plastic wrap could be very cheap and fast to build. Put a stick down the length and it should be stiff enough. Basically an upscale model aircraft.

[@MikeMike-er7kn]

An ultralight aircraft can carry a 100kg or more warhead though.

[@joashparker8271]

@@MikeMike-er7kn the useful load of most LSA (Ultralight) aircraft is 200-300kg and that is limited by the legal 600kg total weight limit. For these drones that wouldn't be a problem so I could see the load being pushed towards 400kg. this would especially be the case if you had access to a 500m+ runway/road and were willing to retune the engine for more power since engine lifespan is clearly no longer an issue. it would be quite easy to put a nitrous kit in to increase power for the take off/first part of the flight.

[@napalmholocaust9093]

Convergent evolution is when unrelated critters resemble each other. You have to change to fit the niche. All the keys need to fit one specific lock, even if you made that key in a shed out of irrigation pipe, it'll turn.

[@LackofFaithify]

Duct tape, the ultimate in evolution's little helper.

[@KenVet]

Thanks for the info Reminds me of my R/C aircraft days, just with better comms and guidance.

[@TheLtVoss]

The prices for same rc aircraft parts have increased in the last time well I had my thoughts about it looks like they end up in Ukraine

[@davidrobertson5996]

More high quality content. Thanks for covering UAVs for a change. Never realized that there were so many different types!

[@bc-guy852]

Thank you for your presentation. Always super informative!

[@brianomalley7501]

Thank you for the great information an nother awesome video your great at explaining what going on can't say enough about what do

[@HorstMichel-mh7gv]

Thanks, those videos are got much more depth than your text on your side.

[@shiznoes]

Every time you make a new post it’s an exciting day

[@Alex-cw3rz]

1:52 if the ATACMS are to be included the much more numourous Vilkha, BM-30 Smerch and OTR-21 Tochka should be as well, as there long range missile systems.

[@ned900]

Great stuff, love your content, two uploads in as many days! Fab

[@DaRoosterSee]

I don’t know why but your content is addictive. Thanks, I now have a new obsession and wish so had gone into the Navy especially with Submarines. Anyways keep up the good work and most of all thank you for sharing!

[@polka23dot70]

The most important part of these drones is their guidance system.

[@derekl6475]

Very good info here, however it seems that you didn't give the details on many things like you normally do. "...Quite a large warhead...", "...a comparatively large warhead...".

[@jebise1126]

20-30kg... oh that ultra light aircraft may be close to 1 person. so 75+. depends on how much extra fuel does it have. but thats rare one. it is way too expensive i think.

[@bobkohl6779]

Thanks for posting. So nice to see your content

[@simonbowden8408]

Incredibly interesting video thanks DI Sutton. Very valuable as this shows why Ukraine will win!

[@jwg72]

The widespread use of canards in these designs is a bit surprising to me (I suppose it is for maintaining controllability at low speed after take-off)? I could see launches from longer highways or airfields allowing designs which have more aerodynamic efficiency at cruise speeds.

[@simonmoorcroft1417]

Canards delay 'stalling'. Thus an air vehicle can fly at lower speeds whilst retaining stability. This probably allows the designers to utilise less powerful engines without a fear of the air vehicle stalling during flight. As you mentioned it would also allow shorter take-off runs. From a practical point of view it also allows the OWA-UAV's to be easier to build and more compact. I believe for example you can put up to 40 fully assembled 'Scythe' drones in a standard shipping container.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

​@@simonmoorcroft1417 No. A conventional horizontal stabilizer on the tail pushes down to counteract lift pushing up. This is necessary due to the forward center of gravity of having the engine and payload up front. This means you're paying in drag to have lift countering the main wing lift. What a canard does is that the main wing and the canard both have the lift vector pointing up, so the drag you incur all contributes to lift rather than having a counteracting force. Canards help delay stall because the canard is designed to stall before the main wing, so when you stall the canard the main wing lift causes the nose to point downwards and thus regain airflow over the canard. Canards do not allow you to fly slower, when you fly slow the nose just enters a dive and you regain speed.

[@TheCloudhopper]

Thank you for sharing, very informative video! Developments are so fast in this sector atm. The ?5 almost looks like a technical-type, something that can be build in the field or close behind the lines.

[@kreterakete]

Biiiiiiig hugs Sir Sutton. Aloha from bohemian forest 😊

[@m.streicher8286]

Oh my we are spoiled

[@springle91]

😱 Double drop

[@EmulatorZen]

2 in a row!

[@emmabird9745]

Love your videos, especially your presentation. On the subject of drones, I would expect a pulse jet (as per V1 "doodlebug") would be far cheaper than any turbo jet and has been proved adequate. In fact a "doodlebug" with modern guidance should be very effective.

[@mychannelnotyours123]

Yep, their entire program seems amateur.

[@kieslar0835]

I just wanna say i emailed Sutton over some potential marine mammal pens in the South China Sea and we talked about it a bit. Ended up being fishing pens, but it’s awesome how down to earth he is. I told him to keep up the vids and in time he will be a big source on here. Still have the same advice!

[@Statueshop297]

Sounds like a good plaice to look.

[@ropeburnsrussell]

I am always happy to hear your views. My only complaint is that you post infrequently.

[@timblack6422]

Love your content, Sir!

[@TheStowAway594]

Really enjoy your content, & I wish I had your job! The Defense industry is deeply fascinating to me.

[@Syndr1]

Hi H.i. you giving us a double header. ⚾

[@Allan_aka_RocKITEman]

Great video, _H.I._ 👍

[@namelesswarrior4760]

Well, the US/NATO is very close to achieving the set goal and keep their promise made to Ukraine as well. The promise was to stand by Uskraine and "Fighting to the last Ukrainian" no matter the costs to others! Congrats to the US/NATO for doing such a great job and so effortlessly. Amazing!

[@bigsarge2085]

Fascinating, thank you.

[@petertimowreef9085]

SevasTOpol!! Let's gooo!!

[@mattheide2775]

This conflict has changed the face of warfare in the sense that drone technology allows for perfect asymmetric warfare.

[@americafirst3738]

Hi Sutton funny voice never scripted... lol...jk... Thank you sir

[@thickwristmcfist3399]

Fantastic video! You certainly did your research! Hope youre doing well! Cheers!

[@jakeaurod]

I wonder how inexpensively these could be made. I know they've used some small, cardboard drones from Australia. I've seen videos by people like Peter Sripol build crewable airplanes as well as RC airplanes out of foam insulation panels. I'm curious how these react to radar. So many people in the comments section of drone videos buy into the Military-Industrial Complex mindset of adequate means expensive that I wonder how that affects military aid.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

Bruce Simpson (known for the youtube channels xjet and rcmodelreviews) wrote a guide in the 2000s. His model cost 500-600 in Australian dollars, non inflation adjusted.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Each have their role. These drones carry a relatively small (5-10kg) warhead, and fly slowly, so can take a while to reach the target. For a soft, fixed target eg. Oil refinery, they are highly cost-effective. ATACMS or Storm shadow travel much faster, and carry a much heavier (300kg) warhead, capable of penetrating air defences and defeating hardened targets (eg bunkers), but they are expensive and therefore limited in number. A smart military procurement system will have both.

[@JenniferA886]

Cheers for sharing this

[@jasonkeating9958]

Adding a bolt on wing kit and a micro turbine plus a drone guidence kit to the unguided mlrs rockets like the 220mm and 310mm that Ukraine has would be a way of getting a decent payload Long distance by using existing systems and materials

[@everypitchcounts4875]

Raytheon coyote 2 interceptor drone & silver fox have been around for almost a decade now. Perdix micro drone swarm.

[@skenzyme81]

Just getting started. We'll see drones with "Flying Ginsu" functionality soon. Plenty of regimes want the tidy assassination capability of the Hellfire R9X. Huge potential as a terror weapon as well - no explosives means much harder to track builders.

[@jakeaurod]

I'm surprised I haven't seen anything like this at political events in the USA yet.

[@skenzyme81]

@@jakeaurod Despite the rhetoric, we're not quite there yet. Folks are real angry, but the regime has only come down really hard on a smallish number people. It could change real quick though.

[@jakeaurod]

@@skenzyme81 Are you referring to the current administration? Historically, group-level anger isn't necessary for a lone-wolf and their imagination to conjure up motive and means.

[@ChucksSEADnDEAD]

It's easier to track the control boards. The flying Ginsu will also need a rocket boost and thus leave chemical traces.

[@DCresident123]

yet you applaud when our government uses it indiscriminately...

[@jeremyallard7015]

Great content, a very good explanation, I have heard of Drainpipe Drones being used, it would be good if they could somehow fit EMP Pulse Generators to test against the Ruskies Electricity Grid as well as solid state equipment. Send in 1 or 4 and see what happens.

[@watchingvideos9871]

Wow great channel I randomly found

[@darrencorrigan8505]

Thanks, H I.

[@nicolaiby1846]

Great video like always.

[@lipgloss202]

Excellent info.

[@Fish29077]

I remember the bulk cheap flat pack drones Australia sent years ago.

[@temlan7929]

Nice bit of ingenuity here. Good to see the domestic arms industry being built up to reduce the exposure to international partners. Slava!

[@mandowarrior123]

Wow a lot of work on this one. Incredible job once again. You only have to make your weapon cheaper than the countermeasure to be very effective, and most forces have overlooked low cost defence (low profit lets be realistic. I wonder if we'll see a resurgence in cheap propeller or 'low performance' aircraft as they are potentially cost effective defence, at least vs the slow long range drones. Having said that, its really the weapon systems that are lacking. A decent self aiming lightweight autocanon of some kind would take some work. I suppose helicopters might have those kinds of systems and sensor packages that could strap to light aircraft. That's assuming you can find a way to detect these things in any way reliably- which I don't think is too practical. Looking at the progression, however, these things could be produced in huge quantities for next to nothing and easily overwhelm classical air defence systems. Even the old ground based projectile defence is impractical vs these.

[@WriteInAaronBushnell]

@12:45 how is that in Hamburger per Budweiser

[@rogerc7960]

#72 = French supplied, unclear if it has target restrictions.

[@mochabear88]

ty

[@michaelwarlow4398]

Great video thanks!

[@dgris7944]

What happened to those Australian-supplied cardboard drones that came flat-packed on a pallet?

[@HISuttonCovertShores]

They are interesting, and have been used (unsure how good/bad in practice, like most types), but are shorter ranged than the ones I was covering here. I'll leave it to others to cover those though, I have to be selective unfortunately

[@jebise1126]

oh yeah quite a game changers... like all the rest

[@RJ-xv1nh]

Any reason why they couldn't use drop tanks to extend the range ?

[@allesiofondressi2602]

Because of this video there's now a two week waiting period on plumbing pipes at the construction supply store. 🤭🤭🤫🤫

[@HRM.H]

Im sure there are dozens of other drone designs we dont even know of yet.

[@jebise1126]

everyone is making drones to avoid front line fabing

[@DukeBG]

there are many more shorter range ones that are out of scope of this video (which focuses on deep strike capabilities)

[@nihatsavmaz6677]

i came from twitter! i read all your tweets. thank you?

[@JO-ch3el]

Really interesting as always. Go 🇺🇦!

[@jasons44]

Good video, never saw before

[@brandonhamilton833]

Great video as always

[@HISuttonCovertShores]

Glad you enjoyed

[@StoneCresent]

Personally, I call these low end cruise missiles as they sustain flight through aerodynamic lift, travel long distances (typically beyond line-of-sight of the launch site), autonomously navigate to the target via dead reckoning, environmental queues, or radio beacons, must expend themselves to deliver ordnance, cannot provide reconnaissance, and prioritize efficiencies in production (i.e. cost, materials, or time) and training (thus low end). I don't think a new drone oriented term is needed to describe these; however, I can see OWA-UAVs as a larger group inclusive of cruise missiles. After all, what would we call an unmanned quadcopter traveling long distance, autonomously navigating to a target beyond line of sight, does not provide reconnaissance, and must expend itself to deliver ordnance?

[@andydelarue9344]

These are cardboard drone 8 kg payload , very cheap and easy to transport as flat pack from Australia

[@aaronlea9559]

Thanks for these eh

[@ailinofaolin8897]

The Aussies led the way with flatpack cardboard and elastic band drones that anyone can make.

[@matthewhuszarik4173]

It would seem the combination of a rocket and ramjet would be an inexpensive simple high speed solution.

[@steveyountz9184]

Are these ever painted with paint containing iron particles to reduce their radar signature?

[@mychannelnotyours123]

The lowly 1944 German V-1 had a 850 kg (1,870 lb) warhead, 250 km (160 mi) range, and 640 km/h (400 mph) speed. Copy that, add a cell phone, a bigger fuel tank, and cluster munitions. Germans peaked at launching 100/day towards England.

[@JeffBilkins]

Months no uploads and now two in one week? What is going on? :)

[@pkre707]

They should make the Foxbat so that the landing gears will drop off after take off. It's one way, so it wouldn't need gears again, and dropping them would reduce weight and drag. Plus you could probably re-use the dropped parts if they aren't damaged.

[@user-lh1ef1st3k]

what does HI stand for?, high end intelligence might be.

[@texasranger24]

Cessna (or ukrainian analogue) plus targeting system = german V1 cruise missile with improved accuracy.

[@everypitchcounts4875]

The Kettering bug

[@1337flite]

I would not be surprised if many of the Ukraine drones - even the larger ones - were actually guided by flight controllers from Aii Baba. E.g. Ardupilot flight controllers such as PixHawk controllers. The Ardupilot firmware is designed for GPS missions. Generally speaking most hobby and semi professional flight controllers can output PWM control signals which are widely used in radio control applications (hobby and non hobby) and industrial applications, so it is almost certainly possibl to get servos (opr just motors) driven by PWM with sufficient power to move control surfaces even on larger drones/light aircraft. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that some surface drones are controllerd by the same firmware and controllers.

[@SamTheEnglishTeacher]

What do you think the current drones are using if not Ardupilot? Why would they not already? Genuinely curious

[@28ebdh3udnav]

What angers me about the oil refinery attacks is that the U.S. has asked Ukraine not to hit those targets as to not hit oil refineries so oil prices dont go up

[@stevesteveson501]

Referencing the UK target banshee drone, note the rail on the bottom. Appears to be consistent with that used when launched with the “rattler” missile mounted, could they be using the banshee as an uncrewed reusable strike system?

[@HISuttonCovertShores]

no i think that's not a launch rail for ordinance

[@28ebdh3udnav]

Fun fact, russia also uses the Mujian 5 but in the recon role only. Apparently, ukraine has stopped using the Mujian 5s for attack but for recon only

[@DanElgaard9]

is it just me or has this channel become more and more about current events than about submarines???

[@toadamine]

its not plumbing pipe... that would be heavy.. its most likely cardboard tubing or possibly fiberglass composite tubing...

[@iansysoev9462]

PVC pipes aren't heavy

[@toadamine]

@@iansysoev9462 compared to cardboard they are... one big and stiff enough to use for that certainly would be.... it would have to be thick walled or it would be a spaghetti noodle.... that would be a heavy chunk of pvc or abs... cardboard concrete form tubes are much cheaper, a d stiffer for the weight... andthat's what that looks like to me...

[@iansysoev9462]

@@toadamine big and thick-walled PVC pipe weights no more than 2 or 3 kilos, it's nothing compared to the mass of explosives they shove into it

[@toadamine]

@@iansysoev9462 per foot... lol cardboard is stiffer and lighter and cheaper... it's not pvc... Ive watched the video a couple times. .

[@notme9816]

Nah, you got a good voice.

[@RobertCraft-re5sf]

I've seen videos of dozens of russkan soldiers and guards shooting machineguns (light and heavy) into the sky at shallow angles. I wonder how many of their people have been hit by those bullets arcing and coming back down on populated areas. US C-RAM land-based Phalanx AA guns have 20mm rounds that self-destruct for this reason. Many Russian AA missiles don't even seem to have a self-destruct function.

[@BRIANJAMESGIBB]

Ta

[@non-human3072]

6 mins, awesome

[@conroc01]

Ukrainians are an incredibly resourceful people.

[@jebise1126]

tell that to germans at the end of ww2

[@cpt_bill366]

Ukraine, "Mама, I want MiG-25 Foxbat!" Mom, "We have Foxbat at home." *A22 Foxbat*

[@stug77]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but a mig 21 would make an excellent cruise missile.

[@GrahamCStrouse]

Ukraine doesn’t have airframes to spare.

[@chukkie0001]

In 2003 Bruce Simpson from New Zealand developed a low cost(5000$) cruise missile with of the shelf components and a pulse jet. I think the government took away his project. Would be a nice project for Ukraine.

[@ptonpc]

Interesting video, here's to Ukraine causing more 'smoking accidents' in russia, I wonder what Ukrainian soldiers thought of the micro drones that had been sent.

[@mabotiyn]

They have 3000km range drones

[@PooGEr97]

Clear your calendar, sutton posted

[@spektrudeejay1569]

❤❤❤❤

[@everypitchcounts4875]

The Kettering bug

[@kj1483]

Podcast Episode with HI Sutton Evolution of USVs: Ukraine and the future of Naval Warfare with HI Sutton Saltwater Strategists, ANI Podcasts The Australian Naval Institute (ANI) is a self-supporting and non-profit making organisation to provide a forum for Naval personnel and others interested in maritime affairs. Well respected strategists, academics, international relations and maritime professionals from across the region provide their thoughts on the maritime challenges and opportunities within the region. If you want to understand current maritime issues within the Indo-Pacific Region Saltwater Strategists is the podcast for you.

[@garethevans9789]

Democratised cruise missiles, that even drone enthusiasts can make. Interesting times...