Ukrainian volunteers have started a project to restore engines from downed Russian drones Shahedwhich turns enemy technology into useful components for the defense of the country.
The initiative is led by a charitable foundation ZAMPOTECHwhich stated that each engine requires approximately two weeks of work before it is ready for use again.
According to the foundation, “we restore the engines of enemy drones to serve Ukraine. Every detail is important,” the organization’s spokesperson said. For this activity, the fund acquires dozens of engines from drones Shahedwhich were shot down by Ukrainian forces.
After recovery, these engines are installed in Ukrainian drones, strengthening the defenders’ ability to manufacture and operate unmanned aircraft.
What is the Shahed drone used by Russia
Drones used by Russia in attacks on Ukraine, often referred to as Shahed-136 or by Russian forces as Grant-2are offensive unmanned vehicles known as “kamikaze” or loitering munitions.
These drones were originally designed in Iran and have been used on a large scale by Moscow since 2022. They are launched in large numbers to attack deep-seated targets, including energy infrastructure and strategic positions on Ukrainian territory.
The Shahed-136 has a delta wing arrangement with wingtip stabilizers and is powered by an air-cooled piston engine MD550similar to the one used in the projects renewed by the ZAMPOTECH Foundation. This motor is a traditional part of the drone’s construction, and according to technical analysis, it costs between 12,000 and 17,000 US dollars.
This type of drone works like a guided munition: after launch, it directs its explosive charge to a predetermined target with no possibility of return. The estimated range can range from 1,000 to more than 2,000 kilometers, and the Shahed can fly at speeds of up to around 185 km/h, making it a long-range tool with relatively low cost compared to traditional missiles.
Since the beginning of the 2022 invasion, Russia has been using these drones heavily in night and saturation attacks to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses with large amounts of assets during their operations.
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Source and images: Зампотех Омелянович – Facebook @zampotech.org | Military. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
