Peklo vs Terminal Autonomy AQ-400 Scythe

Russo-Ukrainian War^[source]

Russian invasion of Ukraine^[source]

2024^[source]

2023-present^[source]

turbojet^[source]

Peklo was developed by the Ukrainian Defense Industry and is presumably based on the Palianytsia missile-drone, which was also developed during the Russian invasion of Ukraine . Through the remote-controlled turbojet engine , the drone is capable of reaching subsonic speeds of up to 700 km/h (Mach 0.57), and has a maximum range of 700 km. It was reported that the weapon is composed of up to 70% domestically produced components, however it may still face supply chain issues.^[source]Peklo · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

As details of missile are sparse due to a general reluctance to reveal too much information to its adversary in the war, photo image analysis by the media indicates that the weight of the warhead may not be more than 50 kg due to the fuselage. However the media arrived at different conclusions on the launching mechanism, with Ukrainian media Defence Express concluding that it is likely a land-based system, while BBC determined that it can be launched from aircraft.^[source]Peklo · Description; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

It has two sets of wings, one forward and one rear, with a wingspan of 2.3 m; 30 fully-assembled Scythes can be stacked in one shipping container for transport.^[source]Terminal Autonomy AQ-400 Scythe · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Overall weight is 100 kg with a 43 kg payload, of which 32 kg is the warhead which can be thermobaric or hold two 122 mm artillery shells.^[source]Terminal Autonomy AQ-400 Scythe · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Using the standard gas engine and pusher propeller , the AQ-400 has a cruise speed of 144 km/h (89 mph), a top speed of 200 km/h, endurance of 6.5 hours, and a strike range of 750 km; depending on the engine option, range could be increased as far as 900 km (560 mi), or payload increased to 70 kg (150 lb) at a reduced range.^[source]Terminal Autonomy AQ-400 Scythe · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

Guidance at low altitude uses a laser altimeter to approach at 30 m to minimize the effects of electronic warfare to jam GPS navigation until very close to the target. At high altitudes of 3,000 m, it navigates with a visual positioning system using roads and other visible landmarks. A video link option is available so an operator can manually guide the drone to hit moving targets, but this adds costs and only works at shorter ranges. The basic Scythe airframe costs USD $15,000, which increases to USD$30,000 with a guidance system and other features; this compares to around USD$20,000 for a Shahed-136 one-way attack munition used by Russia . Swarms can use a leader-follower method, where one lead drone carrying a navigation system is followed by nine basic drones, which help saturate the target area and draw off enemy defenses from the lethal version. The use of such drones is intended to overwhelm air defenses as well as make them expend expensive interceptors against cheaper targets, exhausting their supplies over time.^[source]Terminal Autonomy AQ-400 Scythe · Design; only the objects and conditions stated in this passage

2022-2023^[source]

Terminal Autonomy^[source]

USD $30,000^[source]

43 kg (95 lb)^[source]

32 kg (71 lb)^[source]

30–3,000 m (98–9,843 ft)^[source]

one-way attack drone^[source]

• Reported operator · Ukraine