Exclusive: Russia's Kalashnikov Group Successfully Conducts First Flight of Its New KUB-10E Loitering Munition.

On December 26, 2024, the Russian defense company Kalashnikov Group announced the successful first flight of its new loitering guided munition, the KUB-10E, marking a significant milestone in the development of the KUB family of loitering munitions. This launch underscores the Russian defense industry's continued investment in the next generation of precision strike weapons. The KUB-10E is designed to enhance the capabilities of the Russian military, especially in operations targeting a variety of enemy infrastructure and armored assets.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Kalashnikov Group's KUB-10E loitering munition was showcased during its successful first flight test, and it was ready to demonstrate advanced capabilities. (Photo: Kalashnikov Group)"

The KUB-10E is part of the broader KUB family of loitering munitions developed by Kalashnikov, which has already demonstrated operational success in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as confirmed by positive feedback from Russian forces. This new variant has been engineered to extend the operational range, payload capacity, and effectiveness against a wider range of targets compared to its predecessors.

The KUB-10E is designed to engage a variety of targets, including light vehicles, armored personnel carriers (APCs), command posts, air and missile defense sites, communications, surveillance and jamming stations, logistics facilities, ammunition depots, fuel storage sites, drone launch sites, and unsheltered aircraft (especially helicopters) located at airfields. The versatility of the KUB-10E allows it to strike both tactical and strategic assets on the battlefield.

Kalashnikov Group has emphasized several key improvements in the KUB-10E, enhancing its utility across diverse operational environments. The KUB-10E boasts a significantly longer range and increased explosive power compared to previous models. This gives Russian forces the ability to engage high-priority targets from greater distances, reducing the risk to personnel and other assets. The KUB-10E is equipped with a guidance system that uses pre-programmed coordinates in conjunction with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) data, ensuring accurate target identification and strike precision. Additionally, it employs a catapult launch system, enabling rapid deployment in a variety of conditions.

The munition has a cruise speed of approximately 100 km/h and can operate at altitudes ranging from 100 to 2,500 m, allowing it to loiter in the target area for extended periods and engage targets with precision. The KUB-10E is capable of operating under a wide range of conditions, including adverse weather with wind gusts up to 15 meters per second. Designed to function in extreme temperatures, the KUB-10E can be deployed in environments ranging from -30°C to +40°C, making it adaptable to a wide variety of global combat theaters.

The KUB series, including the latest KUB-10E model, has proven to be an invaluable asset for Russian forces, particularly in the ongoing Special Military Operation (SMO) in Ukraine. Feedback from Russian soldiers highlights the precision and effectiveness of the system in neutralizing high-value targets such as command centers, ammunition depots, and critical infrastructure. The munitions have reportedly contributed to operational successes, improving the overall combat capabilities of Russian forces. This year, Kalashnikov Group has almost tripled the production volume of KUB guided munitions to meet the growing demand from the battlefield. This increase in production highlights the Russian defense industry's commitment to bolstering its arsenal with advanced loitering munitions that provide both tactical and strategic advantages.

The KUB family of guided munitions is an evolving suite of loitering weapon systems, each designed to meet specific operational needs. The first iterations, such as the KUB-1 and KUB-2, demonstrated the viability of loitering munitions in modern warfare, providing Russian forces with a flexible and highly effective tool for countering various threats. The introduction of the KUB-10E represents a significant step forward, with enhancements in range, payload, and operational flexibility. These improvements reflect the lessons learned from its previous iterations and combat experiences, particularly in the Ukrainian conflict. The KUB family’s rapid development trajectory showcases Kalashnikov's ability to innovate and meet the demands of modern warfare, especially in the realm of precision strike capabilities.

Although the KUB-10E has not yet been deployed in Ukraine, guided munitions have already proven crucial to the ongoing war. Both Russian and Ukrainian forces have increasingly relied on these precision strike weapons to target high-value enemy assets with minimal collateral damage. On the Russian side, loitering munitions, as well as guided artillery and missiles, have been used to target Ukrainian military infrastructure, air defense systems, and supply chains, while reducing the need for costly and risky manned operations. Similarly, Ukrainian forces have utilized Western-supplied guided munitions like anti-tank missiles and precision-guided rockets to counter Russian armor, command posts, and other critical targets, significantly impacting the Russian offensive.

Guided munitions, with their ability to accurately engage targets at extended ranges, have transformed the nature of this conflict, where both sides face the challenge of maintaining mobile and dispersed forces. These systems, whether loitering munitions or precision-guided missiles, provide a critical edge in targeting and disabling key assets, allowing forces to disrupt supply lines and command structures without the need for overwhelming firepower or large-scale engagements. As the conflict continues, the role of guided munitions, including the upcoming KUB-10E, will likely grow in importance, offering new means of targeting and neutralizing threats from a distance.