Ukraine Arms Long-Range Drones With 8 Rockets for Strikes Up to 500 km

3 articles · Updated · Business Insider · May 20

Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces said fixed-wing explosive drones are now carrying up to eight unguided rockets while retaining a 132-pound warhead for deeper strikes.
USF footage showed the drones firing paired rockets at targets in Crimea and at Russian air-defense crews in rear areas, with one reported attack hitting a Black Sea Fleet naval installation.
The setup lets Kyiv use cheap rockets—costing a few thousand dollars each—to suppress guns and MANPADS, preserving the drone's main warhead for higher-value targets.
Magyar's Birds said some rocket attacks reached operational depth of 500 km; the aircraft shown resembled Fire Point's FP-1 or FP-2, which reportedly cost $50,000-$55,000 and can fly nearly 1,000 miles.
The tactic reflects a wider adaptation in the drone war: Ukraine is trying to penetrate Russia's layered air defenses, while Russia has also mounted missiles on Shahed-type drones.

Ukraine's new drone doctrine is crippling Russia. What strategic target will be next?

As cheap drones fire rockets, are billion-dollar air defense systems becoming obsolete?