Ukraine Shoots Down Russian Experimental Merlin-BP Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.

On September 12, 2024, Ukrainian forces from the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade "Edelweiss" successfully shot down a Russian Merlin-BP drone using an FPV drone for the first time in the unit's history.
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The Merlin-BP is an experimental unmanned aerial vehicle used by Russia for reconnaissance missions. (Picture source: Ukrainian MoD)

The Merlin-BP is an experimental unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) used by Russia for reconnaissance missions. Developed to operate in both automatic and semi-automatic modes, it was introduced in 2021 as a cutting-edge model, particularly due to its low acoustic signature, improved optics, and extended range. However, Ukrainian forces have repeatedly questioned Russian claims, especially in June 2022, when a downed Merlin-BP revealed more basic technology than expected, featuring a conventional engine and even makeshift components, such as a fuel tank made from a simple plastic bottle.

According to Russian sources, the Merlin-BP is a reconnaissance drone designed to operate in automatic and semi-automatic conditions, with an endurance of ten hours and capable of flying at altitudes of up to 5,000 meters. Developed by the Smolensk Research Institute of Modern Telecommunication Technologies, it is an evolution of the previous model, the Merlin-21BM, and boasts significant improvements in terms of size, payload capacity, flight altitude, and range.

With a payload capacity of 6.5 kg, the Merlin-BP can carry various types of reconnaissance equipment, making it possible to detect and observe infrastructure and objects, regardless of weather conditions or time of day. It is specifically designed to identify targets concealed under camouflage nets or even snow cover. The drone is also claimed to have a hybrid engine, increasing its endurance and reducing its noise signature.

The fact that this operation was carried out using an FPV drone demonstrates a shift in the use of kamikaze drones in Ukraine. FPV drones, often employed in precise attack missions, have proven particularly effective at neutralizing highly mobile or well-protected targets. In this case, the destruction of the Merlin-BP highlights the expertise and adaptability of Ukrainian troops.

Beyond this takedown, Ukrainian forces continue to actively target Russian military infrastructure. For instance, drones recently destroyed a Russian Peroed electronic warfare system in the Kharkiv sector, as well as a Tor air defense system in the Kupiansk region, showcasing the increasing effectiveness of drone operations.

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, both sides have ramped up the use of drones for reconnaissance, targeting, and airstrikes. However, the Ukrainian military, through innovations such as the use of FPV drones, has managed to disrupt Russian operations by inflicting significant losses on advanced equipment like the Merlin-BP.

The downing of the Merlin-BP is just one example of the growing use of drones in contemporary conflicts, symbolizing the resilience and capability of Ukrainian forces to swiftly adapt to the challenges posed by Russian military technology.