According to a video published on the Internet on May 8, 2022, Ukrainian armed forces have used for the first time, the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone to destroy a Mi-8 helicopter of the Russian armed forces deployed in Ukraine.
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Ukraine uses Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 to destroy Russia Mi-8 and troops during landing operations.
After the analysis of the video by the Army Recognition editorial team, we could notice that the Bayraktar TB2 drone conducts its attack after mi-8 had landed and soldiers were disembarking.
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, several videos were published on all the social networks showing the use of the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones to destroy command posts, armored vehicles, and tanks of the Russian armed forces.
Citing military open source information, the Bayraktar TB2 drone entered into service with the Ukrainian armed forces in 2019, and a total of 50 drones were reportedly purchased by Ukraine. Several drones have also been delivered by Turkey since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine.
Combat drones are transforming attitudes about the use of military force. Military casualties and the costs of conflict sap public support for war and for political and military leaders. Combat drones offer an unprecedented ability to simultaneously reduce these costs by increasing accuracy, reducing the risks to civilians, and protecting military personnel from harm. During combat in Ukraine, drones are used by Russia and Ukraine to conduct various operations including combat missions to destroy military targets, and reconnaissance missions, and the drones are also used by artillery units to guide laser-guided artillery rounds with lethal precision.
The use of drones for helicopter destruction is new and this shows that drones are becoming a serious threat to ground forces deployed in combat zones.
The Bayraktar TB2 is a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE), Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capable of conducting Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and armed attack missions. A whole system consists of a Bayraktar TB2 armed/UAV platform, a ground control station, a ground data terminal, a remote display terminal, an advanced base with power generator and trailer modules.
The Bayraktar TB2 can be armed with MAM-L and MAM-C laser-guided bombs, and UMTAS long-range air-to-surface anti-tank missiles. The MAM bombs were specially designed for UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) and light attack aircraft with low payload capacity. The drone has a payload capacity of 150 kg maximum and can carry four missiles or bombs, two under each wing.
The Bayraktar TB2 can fly at a maximum speed of 130 km/h with an operational flight altitude of 8,230 meters. It has a 24hour flight endurance and a communication range of 150 km. The drone has a 12-m wingspan and a maximum take-off weight of 650 kg.
