Ukrainian volunteers started a project for the shot Russian Shahed to restore the engines of drones, turning enemy equipment into useful parts for the defense of the country.
The initiative was initiated by ZAMPOTECH run by a charity foundation that says it takes about two weeks to restore each engine before it can be used again.
According to the foundation, “we restore the engines of enemy drones to serve Ukraine. Every detail counts,” said a spokesperson for the organization. For the work, the foundation receives dozens of engine units Shahed from drones shot down by Ukrainian forces.
After recovery, these engines will be installed in Ukrainian drones, strengthening the defense side’s unmanned aerial vehicle production and operational capabilities.
What is the Shahed drone used by Russia
Drones used by Russia in attacks against Ukraine – often Shahed-136 referred to as, or by Russian forces Grant-2 marked – attack unmanned aerial vehicles, known as “kamikaze” munitions or loitering munitions.
Originally designed in Iran, Moscow has been using these drones extensively since 2022. They are launched in large numbers to attack deep targets, including energy infrastructure and strategic positions on Ukrainian territory.
The Shahed-136 has a delta-wing design with stabilizers on the wing tips and is air-cooled. MD550 powered by a piston engine similar to the one used in ZAMPOTECH restoration projects. This motor is traditionally part of the drone’s design, and according to technical analysis, it costs between 12,000 and 17,000 US dollars.
This type of drone works as a guided munition: after launch, it moves towards the predetermined target with its explosive charge without returning. Estimated ranges vary from 1,000 to more than 2,000 kilometers, and the Shahed can fly at speeds of up to about 185 km/h, making it a relatively low-cost, long-range attack weapon compared to conventional missiles.
Since the invasion began in 2022, Russia has been using these drones en masse in night and saturation attacks with the aim of overwhelming Ukrainian air defenses with large numbers of devices.
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Source and images: Зампотех Омелянович – Facebook @zampotech.org | Military. This content is generated with the help of artificial intelligence and reviewed by the editors.
