Screenshot from a video published by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (also known as HUR) reportedly showing a Russian helicopter in the cross-hairs of a Magura V5 USV. (Defence Intelligence of Ukraine/HUR)
Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) said a Magura V5 unmanned surface vessel (USV) destroyed one Russian Mi-8 helicopter and damaged a second one in the Black Sea.
HUR said its ‘Group 13' shot down the Russian helicopter with an R-73 ‘SeeDragon' missile from a Magura V5 USV near Cape Tarkhankut in the Black Sea, in a 31 December press release.
R-73 missile
It was not confirmed by HUR at the time of publication the differences in characteristics between the R-73 ‘SeeDragon' missile and the Soviet-era-developed R-73 air-to-air missile (AAM).
According to Janes Weapons: Air Launched, there are at least 11 known variations of the R-73 missile. It is known under the NATO codename AA-11 ‘Archer'. The original Russian service variant is known as the R-73K and the export variant is known as the R-73E. It is a short-range infrared (IR)-guided AAM and is generally carried by MiG-/Su-series platforms. It was developed in the Soviet Union in the 1980s and has an MK-80 seeker with an effective detection range from 300 m to 15 km. The missile's range is dependent on the performance of the MK-80 seeker.
As HUR reported that the missile was fired from the USV at sea level, according to Janes analysis it is unlikely that it would have the same range and other characteristics as quoted for an AAM, which is only relevant for missiles fired from aircraft and would have an altitude advantage.
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